Supporting your teen through the ongoing impacts of a traumatic event

When a traumatic event happens, it can feel like the hardest part is over once the event ends. But for many teens, the impacts can ripple through their mind, body and emotions for weeks, months or even years afterwards. 

It can be confusing and challenging to recognise if a traumatic event is still affecting your teen, especially if they aren’t talking about it or the signs aren’t what you expected.

Find out more about how a traumatic event can result in lasting trauma symptoms, what signs to look out for, and how you can continue to support your teen’s healing journey. 

How traumatic events can have long-term impacts

As we outline in this article on supporting your teen after a traumatic event, young people may experience a range of different reactions and symptoms in the first few days or weeks. They might seem jumpy or always ‘on guard’, have trouble sleeping, become upset easily, or want to be alone more than usual. All of these reactions are normal and natural – there’s no right or wrong way to react to a traumatic event. 

Most young people will begin to recover within a few weeks. But for some, the symptoms can linger, or shift into something deeper and long-lasting that’s harder to recognise. How your teen continues to respond to a traumatic event can be shaped by factors such as their age, their relationship to the event, and their personality and coping style. 

Their cultural background and gender, whether they are neurodivergent, their past experiences, and the presence (or absence) of support networks can also play a big role. For example, some teens may need more time or different types of support, depending on whether they have experienced trauma before, how they express their emotions, and what feels culturally or personally safe for them.

Family and relationships therapist Chana Anthony explains that a traumatic event isn’t always about a single moment. It doesn’t always show up straight away, and it can often leave a lasting imprint on a young person’s body and sense of safety.

Traumatic events can overwhelm a teen’s ability to cope, especially if they don’t have the tools or support to process what’s happened. Their body and mind can stay on high alert, and they may continue to store deep feelings of fear and insecurity. 

This ongoing sense of being unsafe can influence how they react, behave and connect to others around them, as well as shape the way they respond to future challenges. 

Signs your teen might still be struggling

When the early reactions to a traumatic event don’t ease up, or when deeper symptoms develop over weeks, months or years, it may mean that the trauma is still impacting your teen. These signs of trauma in teens can often reflect underlying mental health challenges that can emerge (or worsen) following a traumatic event, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD symptoms.

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Chana also reminds us that not all signs are obvious. ‘It can be really easy to notice the behaviour in teens when they’re acting out. But a big one is noticing the teens who fly under the radar and don’t rock the boat.’ 

Strategies for supporting your teen 

Here are some key strategies you can try to support your teen with ongoing trauma symptoms.

1. Meet them where they’re at

Be available and open when they are. Ask them what they need, and get their input around what support they want. Your teen’s needs might change from week to week, or even from day to day – and that’s okay. Don’t push for professional support or emotional conversations if they’re not ready for these yet.  

2. Maintain a sense of safety

Emotional safety takes time to rebuild. Even long after a traumatic event, your teen might still feel ‘on edge’ or easily overwhelmed. Calm routines and gentle check-ins help them to slowly reconnect with a sense of security – in their body, in their home and in their relationships. 

3. Focus on connection, not perfection

You don’t need the perfect words or solutions. What matters most is showing up, listening without judgement, and trying to connect with your teen in ways that work for them. Get more tips on how to actively listen and ask questions.

4. Know that healing isn’t linear

Trauma can resurface in waves, sometimes triggered by a new event, a memory or even just a tough day. Be patient with your teen, expect setbacks and respond with compassion. ‘You might feel like it’s two steps forward, one step back,’ Chana says. 

5. Connect beyond words

‘With trauma, it often doesn’t make sense verbally,’ Chana explains. ‘It’s really common for there not to be words your teen can say to you – around their experience, around their feelings, around their healing.’

This is where small actions can make a big difference. Whether it’s sitting together, sharing a meal, going on walks, playing games, or helping them to connect with their community – show your teen that you’re there for them, without any pressure to talk. 

You might also like to share our resources for young people who have experienced trauma, if they want to learn more about what they might be going through at their own pace. 

6. Model calm

Try your best to be a positive role model by promoting calmness, patience, strength and understanding. ‘If a teen can see that their parent is regulated and calm, it’s very regulating and calming for them,’ Chana says. 

7. Look after yourself, too

Taking care of your teen starts with taking care of yourself. Make time for the things that ground you and prioritise self-care activities — whether it’s going for a walk, connecting with friends or your community, or talking to someone you trust. As well as your own GP, there are lots of support options for parents and carers, too.

When to seek extra support

Family support plays a key role in helping teens to manage ongoing trauma symptoms. But if your teen is showing persistent signs of distress, or if their mental health and wellbeing are continuing to seriously affect their day-to-day life, it’s important to consider getting professional support.

A good place to start is to book in with your teen’s GP. They can talk through what’s been going on and help to connect your teen with the right support, whether that’s a psychologist, counsellor or other mental health service. A GP can also provide a mental health care plan, which may help with the cost of sessions with a mental health professional.

Keep in mind that not every teen will be open to professional support right away. But if they are, it can be helpful to know it’s not one-size-fits-all. There are many different approaches that can support ongoing healing after trauma.

• Body-based therapies such as EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprocessing) can help to change the emotions, thoughts or behaviours that result from a traumatic event.  

• Somatic therapy can help to release trauma that might be stored in the body. It’s an approach that centres on the mind–body connection and focuses on techniques such as breathwork, mindfulness and movement exercises. 

• Creative therapies, such as art or music therapy, can suit some teens who struggle to express their emotions in words. 

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), when trauma-focused, may be useful for some young people. 

• Peer support, peer groups, and services such as PeerChat can be really beneficial. Teens can connect with others who understand what they have been through and learn from their shared experiences. 

• Helplines such as Lifeline, Kids Helpline or 13YARN (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) are also good options for teens who want to talk to someone straight away or who prefer not to talk face-to-face. 

Chana believes that connection can transform a difficult experience into a source of strength for a young person.

Remember, there’s no perfect script for helping your teen through the ongoing impacts of a traumatic event. However, staying connected to them, making them feel safe and showing them they aren’t alone can be powerful tools in their healing journey.