Dr. Sid Khurana Explains How to Help Children Cope With Grief and Trauma
Nevada Mental Health’s Dr. Sid Khurana recently spoke with News 3 Las Vegas about how adults can help children process grief and trauma after a tragedy affects their community. The interview followed a domestic-violence-related triple homicide in Las Vegas that left a woman and two children dead.
News of violence can affect children even when they were not directly involved. Some may know the people or families involved. Others may hear details from friends, social media or television and begin to worry about their own safety. Dr. Khurana emphasized that supportive adults can help by making room for honest questions, choosing language that fits the child’s age and maintaining a sense of stability.
Start With an Age-Appropriate Conversation
Children often look to adults for cues about how to understand a frightening event. Avoiding the subject completely can leave them to fill in the gaps on their own. A calm, direct conversation gives a child a chance to share what they have heard, ask questions and correct misunderstandings.
The amount of detail should match the child’s developmental level and what they are ready to discuss. Adults do not need to have every answer. It can be reassuring to acknowledge uncertainty while emphasizing the steps caregivers, schools and other trusted adults take to help keep children safe.
Remember That Grief Comes in Waves
Dr. Khurana described grief as something that can come and go in waves. A child may appear comfortable or engaged for several hours and then become sad, worried or withdrawn later. A calm period does not necessarily mean the grieving process is over.
Children may also express distress through behavior rather than words. Changes in sleep, irritability, physical complaints, difficulty concentrating or a sudden reluctance to attend school can all be signals that a child needs more support. Patience and regular check-ins can help adults notice how those reactions change over time.
Preserve Familiar Routines and Give Children Time
Predictable routines can restore a sense of safety when the world feels uncertain. Familiar meal times, school schedules, activities and bedtime habits give children structure without forcing them to talk before they are ready.
Support does not need to be limited to a single conversation. Children may return with new questions as they understand more or encounter reminders of the event. Staying available, listening without judgment and allowing grief to unfold at the child’s pace can be more helpful than expecting an immediate return to normal.
Professional support may be appropriate when changes in mood, sleep, school performance, relationships or everyday functioning are persistent, worsening or difficult for the family to manage. Nevada Mental Health provides pediatric psychiatry services for children, adolescents and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression and related concerns.
Watch the News 3 Las Vegas segment featuring Dr. Khurana:
Read the original News 3 Las Vegas report.
This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
