March 08, 2011

Coping with Crisis

Tragedies happen in our world every day, and many of these tragedies can affect us deeply. The startling realities we witness through pervasive news reports on television and the internet can cause “secondary trauma.” Secondary trauma is the negative and sometimes debilitating emotional response we experience when affected by the losses of others. Exposure to this trauma can cause emotional, physical and spiritual exhaustion and impairment.

No one can ever be fully prepared for every crisis or exposure to crisis. We can, however, make choices that lead to growth and healing. There are decisions and actions we can take to minimize the impact and maximize the recovery from secondary trauma. Here are five suggestions that can help in times of crisis.

Understand normal reactions
When tragedies occur, horrific media headlines and images often play in our minds again and again. It is common to experience a wide range of emotions that are too complex to organize. It is not simple to wrap our minds around reasons for sudden death or perpetrated violence. Feelings of shock, disbelief, fear and sadness can affect all areas of our lives and drown our spirits. These are normal reactions to abnormal situations.

Realize effects of other losses
There are two factors that affect how you cope with crisis: your past and your present. Any past crisis or trauma experiences can affect how you approach crisis today. If you’ve been affected by painful past events, such as a family death, divorce or a national tragedy, you may find yourself consumed with flashbacks and memories of these times. Your present condition will also affect how well you deal with stress. Life’s stressors, such as caring for an aging parent or enduring financial problems may seem magnified when experiencing another trauma. 

Consider past healing
Most likely, you have survived one or even many losses or traumas. Consider what helped you most and seek similar solutions. What activities, actions or involvements helped you heal? Also, consider what did not help, and try to not repeat those coping attempts. This could include indulging in unhealthy behaviors or not addressing your feelings at all.

Be intentional in self-care
Take care of yourself! Be patient, but also be deliberate in daily choices that bring health and healing. Spend time with friends and family. Go for a walk. Take a bubble bath or read a good book. These, and other activities of self-care, can go a long way to balance the trauma of events outside our control. They bring emotional and physical relief and are necessary in preventing further strife and turmoil.

Recognize need for help
If your stress is so strong that it gets in the way of your daily life, talk with someone. Don’t try to deal with trauma on your own. You can start with a trusted friend, relative or minister. If there are ongoing, debilitating consequences resulting from any crisis in your life, as ask for help. You can regain your life again! You may want to talk with a mental health professional to discuss how well you are coping with recent events. Seek help early, before the devastation of secondary trauma causes emotional or physical burnout.

If you or someone you love needs help, contact Centerstone at 888-291- HELP (4357).

If you are in crisis, call Centerstone’s 24-Hour Crisis Intervention Hotline at 800-681-7444.

For more of Susan's Wellness advice, visit our Health and Wellness page.

One in four adults suffers from a mental illness in a given year. Would you know what to do if someone you know is having a mental health crisis? Would you even know what to look for?

Centerstone is excited to offer Mental Health First Aid, a 12-hour certification course to help individuals in the community understand mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. This interactive course will provide an overview of risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, and participants will learn how to use a five-step action plan to assess crisis situations and respond appropriately.

Instructor Susan Gilpatrick will lead the Mental Health First Aid training course on May 12 and 19 at the Brentwood United Methodist Church in Brentwood, Tenn.

For more information and to register, click here.

About Centerstone
Centerstone, a not-for-profit organization, has provided a wide range of mental health and addiction services to people of all ages for more than 50 years. Through more than 60 facilities and 170 partnership locations across Middle Tennessee, Centerstone serves more than 50,000 children, adolescents, adults and seniors each year. Centerstone is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). For more information about Centerstone, please call 888-291-4357.

Susan GillpatrickAbout Susan Gillpatrick, MEd, LPC, CTS
Susan Gillpatrick, Centerstone Crisis Management Specialist, primarily works in the field with clients in critical incident response situations, and in Centerstone’s wellness trainings and presentations.  She is also responsible for planning and implementing marketing and growth strategies for Centerstone’s Crisis Management Strategies.

Ms. Gillpatrick is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Trauma Specialist, Certified Workplace Conflict Mediator, and Mental Health Service Provider in the state of Tennessee and a National Certified Counselor.  She is also a member the American Counseling Association, the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists, the Tennessee Mental Health Counseling Association, and the Middle Tennessee Employee Assistance Professionals Association.  She is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences, and has had numerous articles published.  She received her Master of Education degree in Human Development Counseling from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University.

To request Susan Gillpatrick to speak with your group or organization about complete wellness in living, contact her at (615) 460-4445 or susan.gillpatrick@centerstone.org.