Engage with your family and loved ones: Spending quality time and participating in activities is a powerful antidote to feelings of distress.
Listen, don’t debate: Now is not the time for debate. Extremist groups prey on unresolved grievances. This is a moment for deep and compassionate listening.
Ask open-ended questions about their emotional state: Doing so provides a much-needed outlet for expression. Remember, your attentive presence is a powerful affirmation that their feelings are acknowledged and valued. It is also the best prevention against recruiters trying to engage with them.
Guard media exposure: Protecting young and impressionable minds from graphic content is more important now than ever. Given the ubiquity of media, it’s challenging to fully control what your loved ones see or hear. But do what you can to reduce the constant news updates and alarming content.
