Enrichment · Wellbeing

After it happens,
week by week.

When something frightening hits your community, the first weeks are full of forms, cleanup and worry. Take five minutes a week for each person in your family: which reactions showed up, how hard the week was, whether routines are coming back and what support you have used. Most reactions ease with time. This shows you which ones are not.

Start a check-inWhat you get

Family check-ins

The worked example is made up: a family three and seven weeks after a tornado. Initials only. Saved on this device only.

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What you get

Enrichment · WellbeingFree

What you finish with
A weekly check-in per person: age group, what happened and how long ago, reactions, how hard the week was, routines, supports used and a plan. Shows the average for how hard and who still has several reactions after four weeks; flags reactions past a month, a week rated 5, routines not back, no support yet and what is common in young children.
Who it is for
Parents and caregivers after a community crisis; teens checking in on themselves; school counselors and community groups sharing it with families.
Format
Browser check-in with a saved record per person per week. Prints one check-in to bring to a doctor or counselor, every check-in in a table or a blank form; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Wellbeing space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Pick one evening a week and do a check-in for each person, with initials only.
  2. Mark the reactions that showed up this week and how hard the week was.
  3. Note whether daily routines are back, and which supports you have used.
  4. Write one plan for next week, even a small one.
  5. Compare with earlier weeks. If several reactions are still going after a month, or getting worse, reach out for help.

Start a check-in

What is common, and when to get more help

How recovery usually goesFirst daysShock, fear, numbnessTrouble sleeping andeatingWanting to stay close tofamilyPractical needs come firstWeeks one to fourReactions come in wavesReminders can set them offRoutines start to comebackMost people slowly feelsteadierAfter a monthMost reactions have easedIf they last or get worse,get helpA doctor or schoolcounselorHelpline: 1-800-985-5990How recovery usually goesFirst daysShock, fear, numbnessTrouble sleeping and eatingWanting to stay close to familyPractical needs come firstWeeks one to fourReactions come in wavesReminders can set them offRoutines start to come backMost people slowly feel steadierAfter a monthMost reactions have easedIf they last or get worse, get helpA doctor or school counselorHelpline: 1-800-985-5990
Everyone moves at a different pace. Children take their cue from the adults around them, so caring for yourself is part of caring for them.

Common reactions

Trouble sleeping, nightmares, jumpiness, irritability, avoiding reminders and headaches or stomachaches are all common after a frightening event. Young children may cling, have tantrums or go back to younger habits for a while. These are normal responses to an abnormal event.

What helps

Steady routines, sleep, meals and time with people you trust help most people recover. Children do better with simple, honest answers, limited news coverage and reassurance that adults are working on keeping them safe.

When to get more help

If reactions last more than a month, get worse, or get in the way of school, work or relationships, talk with a doctor or a school counselor. The Disaster Distress Helpline answers calls and texts at 1-800-985-5990 at any hour. For thoughts of suicide, call or text 988.

Sources

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, call or text, 24 hours (samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline).
  2. National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD (2006). Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide (2nd ed.).
  3. National Child Traumatic Stress Network: After a crisis, helping young children heal; tips for parents (nctsn.org).
  4. American Psychological Association: Recovering emotionally from disaster (apa.org/topics/disasters-response).
  5. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org): call or text 988, chat online, 24 hours a day.

The worked example is made up. This check-in helps a family notice and talk; it is not a diagnosis, therapy or a crisis service. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.