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!