What About Me? Helps Kids Cope

Yale-New Haven Hospital will be among select few hospitals in the United States to employ a new program specifically designed to help young children understand and cope with the psychological stress and uncertainty when a family member has cancer.

Beginning this summer, child life specialists at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital will pilot this unique program entitled “What About Me?” to help children learn, understand, and ask questions when a family member is undergoing treatment for cancer. “What About Me?” provides age-appropriate education about illness and hospitalization in order to alleviate misconceptions and promote understanding.

“This is a breakthrough program for children in the United States,” said Ellen Good, manager of the Child Life Program at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital. “We are hoping that ‘What About Me?’ will become the template for how all hospitals treat children who are trying to cope and deal with an illness that has befallen a family member.” According to Ms Good, illness often creates changes in family routines and roles. Children may have feelings of worry, sadness, anxiety, confusion, anger, loneliness, and isolation when a family member is seriously ill. They can also become withdrawn, and exhibit behavior changes. “Often, children may be hesitant or afraid to express their feelings in the family during a time of crisis,” explained Ms Good. “This program will offer them safe ways to express their feelings.”

Two certified child life specialists, Alexis DuBois and Lisa Vita, are the co-founders and will jointly direct the “What About Me?” program, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital.

“Children affected by illness in the family have unique needs which must be addressed. When a parent becomes ill, this threatens the safe and secure way a child sees their world. These life changes can cause confusion and anxiety,” said Ms DuBois. Ms Vita added, “Our hope is this new program will provide the children here at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital a comforting way to receive accurate information, the opportunity to process that information and assess the situation in a way that’s age-appropriate and give them the support they need during this tough time.”