Every year countless numbers of children and adolescents are affected by distressing events that can undermine their sense of safety. In 2003, University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht established a “National Center for Psychological Trauma” for such children. The center is now marking its fifth anniversary and was recently recognized by health insurers. This means that the financial support provided till now by the “Ronald McDonald Children’s Fund” (Ronald McDonald Kinderfonds), the “Nuts/Ohra Foundation” (Stichting Nuts/Ohra), and the “Children and Grief Foundation” (Stichting Kind en Rouw) will no longer be necessary. To celebrate this, on May 16 a symposium will be held on the latest developments in psychological trauma services for children.
“A distressing event could be a traffic accident, as well as near drowning, being burned, assault, or rape, but could also be witnessing extreme violence, which usually happens in the home,” explains Tom van der Schoot, who heads up the center. “The traumatic experience of being helpless during these kinds of confrontations can lead to intense emotional responses in children. When this is not dealt with adequately and they don’t receive the proper treatment, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Since its inception, the center has provided around 1,500 children and adolescents with initial care and treatment. The results of these interventions were very positive, and meant that specialist treatment was no longer necessary. In addition to new scientific developments, the symposium will also focus on the psychological trauma services available in the Utrecht region. The Altrecht Institute for Mental Health (department for children and adolescents), De Waag (outpatient clinics for psychiatric patients), and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation Center are also making significant contributions to the symposium.