How to Handle a crisis without overstressing

How to Handle a Crisis Without Over-stressing

How to Handle a Crisis Without Over-Stressing
Women and mothers take responsibility for others, and we need to be careful not to sacrifice our own well-being. We can also save ourselves lots of grief and struggle if we make a few preparations, even if other family members don’t think it’s necessary. I talked about that in the last post. Often we’re the anchors during the crisis, so cultivate the habit of taking time for your own mental health during the crisis as well.
What to do during a crisis

Get to safety as quickly as possible. Stay there. Keep your mind there too. Don’t let your your mind run ahead to fret about long-term planning because your job is to survive hour by hour. Encourage every family member to tell their stories as many times as necessary and express their fears and concerns about the crisis. It’s how we process experiences. Find things to laugh about and encourage everyone to focus on gratitude.
We need routine to feel comfortable, so find or create your new “normal” in this new situation. Reconnect with the strengths and the coping mechanisms that have worked in the past. A crisis that causes a huge disruption will likely have long-term effects, so you’ll soon be searching for new support systems and services to help with your day-to-day living. Start asking around, listen hard and take notes. Try not to get discouraged or angry when you receive contradictory information, and don’t give up. The service providers and volunteers are struggling too, and a little kindness and understanding will return to you multiplied.
Mental health work is all about helping people tap into internal and external resources. I have worked in the field of crisis response for many years and have a certification in crisis response, traumatology and working with PTSD. I have been privileged to work all over the United States (after 9-11 in New York City and New Jersey, the fires in California, hurricanes in Mississippi, New Orleans and Florida and after the tornadoes in my own backyard in Missouri with last summer’s devastation in Joplin  being the most recent). I was also the Director of Employee Assistance Service for a large health service organization, and have helped to develop all types of workplace programs on workplace violence and sexual harassment policy and helped in many workplaces when a crisis has occurred.
It is my privilege to serve and I can say without any reservation that I have seen survivors display amazing strength and resolve. During the worst of times I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE AT THEIR VERY BEST. It’s truly a blessing to be called to do this kind of work.
Dr. Nancy D. O’Reilly, Psy.D.
Founder of Women Speak and Licensed Psychologist

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