Ways to cope with stress and loss

FROM AMERICA'S LEADING CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS
[A coalition of victim assistance organizations
(listed below) provided this information via email.] Additional information and trauma recovery tips and information can be found at , www.ncvc.org, www.pomc.org or www.try-nova.org.  
09/2001


HELP FOR CRIME VICTIMS IN YOUR AREA:

A US national database of local resources at this toll free crisis helpline:
1(800)FYI-CALL

HELPING OTHERS

A US national database of local resources at this toll free crisis helpline:
1(800)FYI-CALL

IN SUMMARY

Talk.
Recognize that thinking ability may be compromised.
Honor individual differences in trauma reaction.
Recognize the value of tears.
Reach out to those more directly affected.
Limit TV and radio.
Do something to help.
Utilize spiritual resources.
Seek professional support.

WHO WROTE THESE TIPS?

The text of this page came from an email and is reposted in its entirety. Here is information on the organizations who sent the email.

LEARN MORE

> Afghanistan links
> links about Islam
> the Taliban and Bin Laden
>
Q&A with Noam Chomsky
> essay by an Afghan-American author
> about this page

MORE LINKS ABOUT AFGHANISTAN

>
afghanistan online
> CIA afghanistan factbook
> maps of afghanistan
> today's news from afghanistan online press

UNDERSTANDING MUSLIMS & ISLAM

>
Investigating Islam for the Western Mind
> A Christian-Islamic dialogue
> What is Islam - Ummah.com
> Women and Islam
>
Nation of Islam
> IslamiCity.com

THE TALIBAN AND BIN LADEN: ANTI-WESTERN SENTIMENT

>
Who is Ussamah bin Laden? a scholarly approach
> Who are the Taleban? from the BBC site
> Jihad vs. McWorld
> Terrorists using the internet - Wired.com

 

 

Trauma Recovery Tips

No American will go untouched - whether directly or indirectly -- by the devastating terrorist attacks that took place recently and which swept the hearts and minds of citizens across the nation. Many people will experience a variety of reactions to the trauma and the unforgettable images from the tragedy, including feeling numb, angry, sleepless and helpless. The following tips may help you cope with the emotions and grief.

Talk. Unspeakable trauma becomes more manageable when it is verbalized. Try to find words to describe your reaction and share them with someone you trust. If you can't talk with someone, write in a journal or diary.

Recognize that thinking ability may be compromised. It is natural that in these circumstances, one's ability to concentrate is limited. Employers must recognize this and accommodate.

Honor individual differences in trauma reaction. Your way is not the only way. People bring their full life experiences to the events of September 11, 2001. It is not useful to tell others how to handle their own trauma. For example, telling someone he or she must be strong is useless. People are coping the best they can.

Recognize the value of tears. Tears are simply a tender tribute to mourning. They are a natural reaction of men, women, and children to internal stress. They remove unhealthy stress-related toxins from the body.

Reach out to those more directly affected. Call those you know who are affected, even if distantly affected. Perhaps invite them over for dinner or take them a meal. Listen exquisitely. They may say the same things over and over again. Honor these experiences by listening rather than giving advice or telling them that things could have been worse.

Limit television and radio. Turn it on only occasionally and then go for a walk or put on some calming music to remind yourself that most of the people in the world and in your community are good. Human goodwill and kindness illuminate the darkness even as a single candle can pierce the darkness.

Do something to help. Donate blood. Send money to the American Red Cross or one of the other organizations that are helping directly. Fly an American flag or put a candle in your window to affirm your commitment that darkness will not overcome the light. Plant a tree or perennial plant to remind yourself at next year's anniversary that life prevails.

Utilize spiritual resources. Attend church, synagogue, mosque or other faith community services or vigils. Be authentic with the God of your understanding.

Seek professional support. Additional trauma support, counseling and resources are available [call 1(800)FYI-CALL; look under "Victim Services", "Social Services" in your local yellow pages; or] with the following organizations listed below:

Coalition of victim assistance organizations providing this information include:
California Crime Victim Compensation Board, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National Office, National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, National Association of VOCA Administrators, National Center for Victims of Crime, National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

Additional information and trauma recovery tips and information can be found at , www.ncvc.org, www.pomc.org or www.try-nova.org.  


Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light,
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

       
 
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ABOUT THIS PAGE

Disclaimer: The content of this page was copied from an email and/or from various web sites and media sources. All source material is credited and/or linked back to its originating website on this page. Hyperpeople.net does not guarantee the accuracy of the information or claim authorship or completeness of any content on this page, and encourages you to explore current issues further. Views stated here and in other links from this page do not necessarily represent the views of Hyperpeople.net. We condemn all acts of terrorism.

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