...it is essential to involve teachers and school administrators in creating safe and welcoming environments.
Extreme weather events have affected the emotional stability of children and adolescents. Phenomena such as floods, cyclones, forced displacement, and material losses create an environment of uncertainty that compromises concentration, motivation, and psychological well-being.
In this scenario, clinical psychology emerges as a strategic tool to develop therapeutic responses adapted to the lived reality. According to Carolina Joel, a clinical psychologist, the first step is to conduct a rigorous and contextualized psychological assessment.
“Before any intervention, it is essential to understand how each individual has been emotionally affected. Not everyone manifests suffering in the same way,” she explains.
This assessment allows for the identification of possible consequences, such as prolonged stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, recurrent fear, and behavioral changes. At the same time, it considers important factors such as age, family context, and the environment in which each person is embedded.
Based on this diagnosis, therapeutic intervention assumes a central role. Carolina Joel advocates for psychotherapeutic support, both individual and group, as effective strategies to help cope with traumatic experiences.
“The therapeutic space should allow each person to express emotions that they often cannot verbalize in social settings. Therapy helps to organize what has been experienced and to regain some sense of control,” she says.
According to the specialist, relaxation techniques, coping strategies, and emotional self-regulation exercises are fundamental to reducing anxiety and strengthening resilience.
In the school context, the psychologist also emphasizes the importance of psychosocial support. In addition to direct clinical work, it is essential to involve teachers and school administrators in creating safe and welcoming environments.
“A school sensitive to the emotional impact of climate events needs to adjust expectations, routines, and assessment methods. Students only learn when they feel emotionally protected,” she highlights.
In the field of prevention and psychoeducation, Carolina Joel reinforces the need to invest in ongoing emotional education. Teaching students to recognize and name emotions, as well as guiding families and teachers on signs of psychological distress, contributes to an earlier and more effective response.
“When teachers and caregivers are able to identify warning signs, support arrives sooner and prevents problems from worsening,” she explains.
In acute crisis situations, immediate intervention becomes crucial. Psychological support after traumatic events, according to the expert, significantly reduces the risk of long-term consequences for students' mental health.
“The absence of support during critical moments can transform a one-off trauma into a persistent problem,” she warns, concluding that “protecting mental health means ensuring that, even in the face of the instability of the outside world, there is space for reconstruction, learning, and hope”.
(By Rafael Langa)
