Another news alert ticks into the mobile phone of Ada Josefine Romsdalen (18). Russia will incorporate four Russian-occupied counties of Ukraine into the country. The ceremony will be the following day, it says. – I feel it a little in my chest. Im getting sad. I get a nasty feeling, says Romsdalen. More children and young people fear war now, according to a nationwide chat service. The number of inquiries is now at the same level as when the war broke out in February. More concerned Romsdalen shows the news of her friends Mari Grong (17) and Maren Johnsen Haugen (18). – Now Putin also believes that it is Russian land. It is very frightening that Putin has started like this, comments Grong. RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS: Ada Josefine Romsdalen shows the news notification she has received for Maren Johnsen Haugen and Mari Grong. Grong and Romsdalen are also politically active in their respective youth parties Photo: Hege Therese Holtung / news – It’s not over, says Haugen. The friends fear that the war will increase in Ukraine, and that it will develop into other countries. The three have been monitoring the situation since 24 February. In addition to news alerts, the friends follow the situation on social media, online newspapers and on TV. Grong says she has thought more about the war after Putin’s plans about nuclear weapons. – It is very scary. Putin’s rhetoric has led to more concern recently. Increase after Putin’s plot Many people write to them at night. Many people have a clear fear of nuclear war and nuclear weapons, according to deputy head of response services for Mental Health, Sigrid Øyen Mull. RECEIVING MANY INQUIRIES: Deputy head Sigrid Øyen Mull in Mental Health’s response services says that they now have as many inquiries from children and young people about war and the war in Ukraine every day as when the war broke out in February. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news – Some people fear that Putin will drop nuclear bombs on Europe and that they, their family and everything they know will disappear. In the past two weeks, there have been 20-30 inquiries daily from children and young people aged 12-24 about the war. Just as many contacted the chat service when the war broke out. Apart from this, they have had 5–10 daily inquiries about the topic. – Those who make contact are increasingly concerned, says Mull. She believes the reason for the sudden increase is several media cases. – As we understand it, there were a number of media reports on 21 September, which were interpreted as Putin threatening Europe with nuclear weapons. Subsequently, we have had an increase. You can read Mull’s advice in the fact box below. Mental health’s advice to parents: Acknowledge the feeling the individual is having. This is also scary for adults. The child can think about war, even if they don’t say anything. Feel free to talk to the children about war and nuclear weapons. Very often the thoughts we struggle with are scarier than reality can be. Read news stories together with the child. Many people only read the headlines, and then they don’t get all the nuances. Turn off notifications and shield yourself from news, if you’re scared. Talking to peers The three friends at Skien upper secondary school follow some of the advice that Mull mentions. They talk about the war with each other, other friends and adults. – I think it’s nice to talk to others my own age about the war to know that you are not alone with your feelings. Most people feel some feelings about this war, says Romsdalen.
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