Guest-of-Honour Madam Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore (centre), graces the symbolic launch of the opening ceremony of the Child Trauma Conference 2019, with (from left) Ms Woon Saet Nyoon, Chief Executive, Temasek Foundation Cares; Professor Alex Sia, Chief Executive Officer, KKH; Mr Richard Magnus, Chairman, Temasek Foundation Cares; and Ms Lynn Soh, Chairperson, Child Trauma Conference 2019 Organising Committee, KKH.
On 4 and 5 April 2019, international and local trauma experts and practitioners came together at Singapore’s inaugural Child Trauma Conference – themed ‘Prevention to Recovery’ – to interact and share best practices in trauma recovery and building resilience in children.
Highlights included a panel discussion on developments in child trauma, led by eminent trauma experts, and a public forum enabling members of the community to learn more about identifying and mitigating stress, and building resilience in children.
Organised by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) with support from Temasek Foundation Cares, and graced by Madam Halimah Yacob, President of the Republic of Singapore, the conference was convened as part of the Stay Prepared – Trauma Network for Children established in 2016 to strengthen the capability of the community to support children affected by trauma, and their families.
To date, more than 2,300 children affected by various forms of trauma and parents have been provided with therapy and support through programmes under the Stay Prepared – Trauma Network for Children. Close to 1,050 therapists, school counsellors and social workers have also been trained to deliver the appropriate support and intervention for these children.
“Timely and targeted support and intervention are imperative in mitigating the adverse impact of trauma and building resilience in children following a traumatic experience,” says
Associate Professor Chan Yoke Hwee, Chairman, Division of Medicine, KKH and Director of the Stay Prepared – Trauma Network for Children.
“Another key aspect is the establishment of a learning network. This conference provides a platform for experts, practitioners, policy makers, and community leaders to come together with the aim to keep moving forward in community support for child trauma.”
