Breaking the trauma in 400 children in Puerto Rico

ESCAPE continues to offer services with the goal of serving 250 people to address and prevent post-traumatic stress disorders resulting from Hurricane Maria, earthquakes, and the pandemic to minimize the occurrence of child abuse and family violence.

Due to the pandemic, services have continued to be offered virtually, and in person in high-risk cases.

The services offered during this period shows that the unprecedented implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are causing a significant increase in psychological distress associated with trauma, grief and loss in both children and adults.

The pandemic has not only resulted in losses associated with changes in the stabilization of daily routines, supportive social connections, and death due to the virus, but it has also had a debilitating effect on the global economy, limiting the sense of safety and security. These elements have increased the reactions and traumas in adults and children who on the island have had to deal with natural disasters since 2017, such as the passage of Hurricane María and the series of earthquakes in December 2020 that continue to this day.

During the period from October 2020 to February 2021 psychological, psycho educational and support services were offered to 277 participants.  

It is important to highlight that children and young people have shown higher levels of anxiety. Some of the challenges reported by them are:

• Changes in their routines 
• Breaks in continuity of learning 
• Breaks in continuity of health care 
• Missed significant life events 
• Lost security and safety 

On the other hand, adults have also presented high levels of stress and anxiety. In addition, problems in their relationships that in many cases include separations or domestic violence.

In October, the project started the "Break Time" initiative. This support group for parents, led by the psychologist, met virtually (twice a month) until January 2021. In this group the participants were able to share their concerns, frustrations, and challenges in relation to raising their children during pandemic and the new responsibility of distance education. They received recommendations from the psychologist, and some received individual inventions with the project team.

 Much remains to be done for the island's families and children. The challenges of the pandemic continue; depression, anxiety, violence, and suicides, among others, continue to increase. That is why it is so important to have the support of companies and people like you who read us; to ensure the availability of free services to vulnerable populations on the island.

 Thanks for the support! 

In July 2020 we started the second year of the project with the goal of serving 250 people to address and prevent post-traumatic stress disorders resulting from Hurricane Maria, earthquakes and the pandemic to minimize the occurrence of child abuse and family violence.

As the pandemic continues and to keep the team and participants safe, psychological services continued to be delivered virtually, including support by phone and through virtual platforms. Only participants with high levels of anxiety have received services in -person.

During the period from July to September 2020 we have observed that fear and anxiety about the pandemic and what could happen are causing strong emotions in adults and children. The social distancing and disconnection from community resources are making people feel isolated and lonely and is increasing stress and anxiety. This, added to the traumas related to the passage of Hurricane María and the earthquakes that continues, are stimulating violence in families where it didn’t exist before and worsen situations in homes where child abuse and violence has been a problem.

We have observed the following conditions among minors and adults who have received services during this period.

• Fear and worry about their own health and the health of their loved ones, their financial situation or job, or loss of support services they rely on.
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
• Worsening of chronic health problems.
• Worsening of mental health conditions.
• Increased use of alcohol.
• increase in relationship problems.
• increase in child abuse and domestic violence.

To address the above and minimize trauma in children and adults, during this period psychological, psycho educational and support services were offered to 94 participants.  

From October, the project will develop the "Break Time" initiative. This will be a support group for parents that will meet virtually (bi-weekly) led by the psychologist. In this group the participants will be able to air their worries, frustrations and share their challenges in relation to raising children and the new responsibility of distance education. They will receive recommendations from the psychologist and as needed, may be referred to individual or family interventions.

Thanks to the support of companies that make this project possible, hundreds of children and families are receiving support in one of the most challenging times in the world. This with the goal of protecting children and preventing trauma related to violence and abuse to ensure a stable and healthy future for all.

 We hope everyone who reads this, and their families are safe.