Saturday, October 3, 2009

Self-care strategies during a disaster

With the recent typhoon and tsunami disasters in Indonesia and Philippines, I would like to dedicate this writing to all who are affected and hopefully it would help them, even in the slightest way.

INDONESIA & PHILIPPINES - STAY STRONG!
Many countries are sending squads of rescuers and relief supplies to you now. Stay strong and do not give up. We will get over this together! :)

One of the ironic things about disasters is that they have the potential to bring out the best in people. People who are struggling with a mental illness may find that experiencing a disaster may not be entirely negative. Indeed, you may find that you're much stronger than you gave yourself credit for. You may also see people helping each other in ways you never thought possible — the world may not seem so uncaring after all.

Here are some self-care tips to help keep a positive attitude even under the worst conditions:

Get in touch with disaster workers.
Remember that health care professionals are trained in disaster management. Hospitals and
clinics have disaster plans in place. Take reassurance in that. In addition, agencies such as the Red Cross have trained disaster mental health professionals. They can guide you to the help you may need.

Touch base with others.
If it's possible, connect with family, friends, faith groups and others who can offer you help, comfort and support. People can work together to solve problems and encourage each
other. Let them know if you need help.  Help someone else. If you're able, lend help to someone who's less fortunate. This can give you a huge morale boost and make you feel better about yourself, besides helping the other person.

Build skills for resilience.
People who are resilient can weather hardships and stress better than those who aren't. Even if you're coping with depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions, you can still have resilience. Key ways to build resilience include developing a strong support network, having goals, thinking well of yourself and remaining flexible.

Keep a positive frame of mind.
Look for even small nuggets of hope and good during a disaster. This can help you find meaning and purpose, help you think positively about the future, and help you function even in the worst of times.

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