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We
are all shocked and saddened by the terrible events that happened today
in New York City, Pennsylvania, and our nation’s Capitol.
Californians are personally touched by the tragedy because of the
loss of lives aboard the airliners headed to Los Angeles and San
Francisco, and because many people in California have loved ones on the
East Coast who they are concerned about.
The
Santa Cruz chapter of the American Red Cross Mental Health Team and
Santa Cruz County Mental Health offer the following information and
suggestions for coping with this very difficult and tragic situation.
Today’s
events have evoked strong and deep reactions in both adults and
children.
Fear and anger are among the most common emotions.
It is important for people to realize that their reactions are
normal in these very abnormal and tragic circumstances, and to know that
there are things people can do to cope and to help each other through
these difficult times.
Common
reactions include shock, disbelief, disorientation, fear, worry about
safety, concern about loved ones, and grief.
After the initial shock wears off, people may have mood swings,
crying, jumpiness, irritability, fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, trouble
concentrating, and difficulty sleeping.
One of the most common reactions in a human-caused disaster of
this type is intense anger.
Children
are affected by what they see and hear on television, and by how their
parents react.
Common reactions in children include asking questions about what
happened and why, fear for safety, distractibility, not wanting to be
separated from family, regression to behaviors from a younger age, fear
of sleeping alone, headaches and stomachaches, and a decline in school
performance.
The
following are some suggestions for dealing with the psychological and
emotional impact of these terrorist events:
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Try
to maintain a normal routine.
Unless public safety officials have issued specific warnings or
closed specific buildings, continue in your normal daily activities.
Remember that the goal of terrorism is to make you fearful.
Rather than being intimidated, follow the advice of professional
public safety officials.
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Follow
your usual routine of physical activity and exercise.
Eat well and try to get rest, even if your sleep is not as
restful as usual.
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Avoid
self-medication such as alcohol, caffeine, or other drugs.
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Draw
on known sources of comfort that have sustained you and helped you
in the past.
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Share
your concerns and worries by talking with a friend, family member,
or clergy. Reach out
to each other while taking care of yourself.
You
can assist your children with some of the following suggestions:
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Spend
more time with them and be understanding of possible temporary
setbacks in their maturity.
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Talk
with them about what has happened and do your best to answer their
questions. No one can
totally answer the question of
“why” this has happened or why people do “bad”
things. Help them to
be aware of the positive response of people to the disaster –of
the people all over the world who are responding to the crisis in
a helpful way.
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Reassure
your children that you love them, that you understand their
feelings and concerns, and that you are there for them.
Physical affection is comforting, especially to young
children.
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Try
to limit the amount of television coverage both you and your
children watch. We
know clearly from past disasters that media images can traumatize
people, especially children.
Encourage them to talk with you about their thoughts and
feelings about what they have seen. Consider having them write down, draw pictures, or for older
children, write in their journal some of their feelings.
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While
some flexibility may be needed, try to keep a regular schedule of
activities such as eating, playing, studying, and going to bed to
help restore a sense of security and normalcy. Emotions and
problems with concentrating may interfere with studying for
awhile.
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Talk
to your children’s teachers, day-care providers, and babysitters
about your child’s response to the event and about what the
school or setting is doing to assist children.
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Prolonged
and extreme withdrawal, emotional outbursts, serious problems at
school, or other signs of intense anxiety or emotional
difficulties suggest the need for professional assistance.
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