How to heal emotional wounds

HOW TO HEAL EMOTIONAL WOUNDS AFTER DISASTER

Disasters are distressing. Continued global warming due to human activities keeps adding fuel to the fires, leading to floods, hurricanes, and other natural calamities. The trauma that follows after the disasters strike leaves huge scars to the victims that take long to heal. Here the question arises, what can be done to heal this post-disaster trauma?

To answer this question, the Center for Public Integrity and their partners in newsrooms, in conjunction with Columbia Journalism Investigations and California Health Report, conducted a detailed survey on this issue. The team has gathered a lot of insights from asking experts, victims of disasters or witnesses, and professionals who study this or come in to help.

From the survey, here are some key takeaway points to note:

1.

2. BE AWARE.

Being aware might seem straightforward, but you’re a step ahead if you’re aware that coming out of a disaster and dealing with the long repercussions can be hard on your mental health. Being aware means keeping an eye on not just obvious symptoms like constant worrying, or short-tempered, but also trouble sleeping, or oversleeping, lack of appetite or overeating, and excessive drinking. It is also crucial to be aware that kids can feel the repercussions too, and might start having trouble in school.

The effects could be felt right away or might take a while to come out. In both times, it’s normal and can stay put.

SEEK SUPPORT.

Most respondents in the survey had not acquired or sort for any mental health support services after coming out of the disaster; some citing they couldn’t afford therapy or other related assistance, others thought they didn’t need it, as others wondered if support would have made the hard times more bearable.

After surviving a disaster, it is crucial to seek professional support to equip you with the appropriate mindset to face hard times. Affordability is not a justifiable excuse since there are always free government avenues available that can provide you with the support you need.

Some of the free avenues you should try include:

The Counselling Assistance and Training Program. The Federal Disaster Distress Helpline (800-985- 5990). The National Alliance on Mental Illness. The Crisis Text Line. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Community members; family, friends, your religious leader, co-workers, or other disaster survivors.

HELP OTHERS.

In times of disasters, some survivors find consolation in offering help to others. Helping others during disaster times as a survivor helps you get back some control in times known to make people feel powerless.

“It helped me to keep my sanity,” said Kelley, a restaurateur whose family’s post-disaster efforts included cooking gumbo for people in the community.

Solemi Hernandez, a resident form Florida whose employer shuttered after Hurricane Irma in 2017, leaving her to search for weeks for a new job, found peace in volunteer work. “Losing myself in service to others … is a way I became stable and not as depressed,” she stated.

BE READY FOR NEXT TIME.

The survey found that almost all respondents were concerned more that disasters would strike their community again. Also, a lot of survivors in regions struck by multiple floods, hurricanes and wildfires in the last decade, stated that they cope with that distress by getting prepared both mentally and physically for the next disaster.

As some sort to leave the disaster struck places, others resolve to remain and make some changes. Dr. Irwin Redlener with Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness urges communities to get ahead of this. We have to prepare for more dramatic changes,” he stated. “Many places that may be habitable right now may become uninhabitable… We’re just at the beginning of the most serious consequences of unabated climate change.”

Work cited.

https://publicintegrity.org/environment/hiddenepidemics/how-to-heal-emotional-wounds-afterdisaster/.

HOME OWNERSHIP by Eric Lawrence Frazier MBA

Home ownership brings stability to individuals and families who have never had a dwelling place that they could call their own. There is something special about owning real estate that is unlike anything else on earth you can own.

Real Estate you own is not like cars that decay over time and you have to replace them. Real Estate you own is not like clothes that go out of style and you have to buy new ones. Real Estate you own is not like expensive vacations or experiences that only last a moment in time. Real Estate you own is not like an apartment where the landlord may increase the rent until it’s no longer affordable. Real Estate you own is not like staying at your parents house where you know can’t stay forever.

Home ownership is the beginning of wealth that increases over time and becomes your estate & legacy Home ownership is the pride of a mother nurturer and the kitchen her domain Home ownership is the pride of a father provider and protector of his territory and family. Home ownership is the foundation of permanence and the place where life happens, birthdays celebrated, deaths mourned.

Home ownership is the place you build memories that can never be taken from you. Memories etched in walls and concrete, experienced in rooms and floors, Memories living in trees and shrubs planted by your hand. Howe ownership is the manifestation of you - your style, your colors, your smell, your stuff, your junk, your memories, your yard and your spaces, your life.

It’s the height markers on your first child’s bedroom wall. It’s the hearts drawn in the concrete slabs when you pour your patio floor It’s the birthday parties, and anniversaries in the living room and kitchen. It’s the back yard barbecue with friends, neighbors and family contentions it’s the high school and college graduation, and wedding receptions Its’ the family nights and block parties and the fellowship of family connections

Home ownership

It’s more than real estate. Land, brick and mortar, wood frame construction and chicken wire. It’s more than money saved, gifts recieved and grants obtained It’s more than the debt you incur to buy it. It’s more than the payments you make to own it. It’s more than the appreciation that comes with keeping it over time. It’s memories, it’s family, and it’s life that can happen in one place

Until you say it’s time to move.