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Was That A Big Truck Passing By Or Was it An Earthquake?
In an ever-changing environment in Christchurch, how do we support our children and ourselves?Christchurch YMCA would like to invite you and your family to this 2- hour presentation for parents of preschool children. This seminar will increase parents’ understanding of what anxiety and grief may look like in young children, and provide some tips on how to respond. We will also explore the challenges parents face as they try to support their children while managing their own reactions to the earthquakes and their aftermath, and offer strategies for self-care.Presented by Skylight, an organisation specialising in grief and trauma, this seminar is specifically designed to help parents of pre schooler’s in Christchurch. This seminar will equip, train and support those wanting to assist pre school aged children, such as friends or family members, community volunteers and professionals.
www.skylight.org.nz
Registration essential, places are limited to each session. Register via email to dianna@ymcachch.org.nz
Entry by gold coin donation
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AFTER LARGE DISASTERS
(a lecture by Douglas Aylers, of Harvard University, in Christchurch, 23 August 2011)
Douglas has summarised the recovery research from a number of large disasters around the world. These include 9/11 twin tower attacks,hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, San Franscisco earthquake and other British and European disasters.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rates in the Community
Research from around the world suggests that after a major disaster approximately 40% of the affected population will suffer clinical symptoms of PTSD to some degree. Not everyone will recognise they are suffering these symptoms, but this will present in social and medical statistics:
· Increased marriage break-ups
· More domestic violence and alcohol abuse
· More teen pregnancies
· Increased rates of strokes and heart attacks.
· Increased suicide rates (after 18 months approx)
· Other symptoms will include insomnia, anger, irritability, loss of concentration, excessive tiredness, sadness,emotional outbursts, stomach or head aches, neck and back pain, depression, anxiety, phobias, and other stress related illnesses.
It is known that the levels of post traumatic stress disorders in the community are likely to peak
18 to 24 months after the disaster.
Survivor Resilience
The first 12 to 18 months people are in survivor-mode, trying to get there basic needs met. (Food, water, housing, job security, sewage) But the cumulative stress over time will add up.
There is a lot of adrenalin and motivation early on in the recovery, but this cannot be sustained for long periods. Adrenalin seems to borrow energy from the future and must be replenished eventually. Tiredness is inevitable. In nature an animal chased by a large predator will exhibit incredible speed and skill, but it will then go into hiding and sleep for a very long period. The loss of control over your life is a major factor in PTSD, especially while waiting to hear from insurance companies and govt agencies. The bureaucratic complications and delays add to the uncertainty and stress.
Those who will cope better will be people:
· With a supportive social network
· With resources to call on
· Who have access to accurate information (ie go to community briefings)
· Who take an active role in the rebuild of their community
· Who have a cohesive set of personal and family values
· Personal involvement in the recovery is very therapeutic as it gives back a sense of control over your life.
· Who have sense of hope that the future will be better, or the city will be rebuilt better than it was before.
Caring For The Caregiver/Parents and Leaders
Community Leaders and Parents/Caregivers can suffer increased stress because they feel responsible for other peoples stress as well as their own personal issues. This must be acknowledged and allowed for, (e.g. Christchurch City Council are giving all staff an extra day off each month so they can have at least one long weekend every four weeks.)
Watch Out For:
- Divisions arising out of stress. We are less tolerant when tired under stress. We are more likely to make rash judgements or over-react.
- Rumours that add to our fears (get accurate information)
- Burn-out. Focus on the main priorities at work. Look out for symptoms of stress in colleagues as they may not see them themselves.
- Our own support network. Keep up positive relationships with family and friends.
- Above all, seek support and help from someone you trust and most importantly, someone who will listen; a friend, a colleague, a professional counsellor. Asking for support is a sign of strength; a sign of knowing your ‘self’ and what you need to do to help you get through times of post traumatic stress.
Christchurch Earthquake Support Information
Contacts For Traumatic Incident Counselling
· Relationships Aotearoa - 0800735283 (available 24 hours/7 days a week - when you ring they will take details and then they will ring you back to organise the counselling service you want and an appointment to see them. They have various locations around Christchurch)
· Civil Defence 0800779997
· Skylight 0800299100
· Red Cross 0800733276
· Red Cross Counselling Services 0800777840
· M.O.E. Traumatic Incident Team 0800225580
· Email: well.being@minedu.govt.nz
· Govt. Quake Counselling & Support Line 080077784
