If you have experienced a crisis:

1. Keep busy. Focus on your projects and classroom assignments, sports, hobbies and reading. Research indicates keeping focused on day to day required tasks or routines helps mitigate the effect of stress.
2. Seek out persons who care for and support you. Share your reactions, thoughts and how the experience impacted you.
3. Know the reactions to trauma described are normal responses to a very abnormal experience. They occur in varying degrees of severity and type for each person.
4. Limit the amount of time that you watch details about the tragedy on TV.
5. “Baby yourself” - eat well, get your sleep and do nurturing things.
6. Express your feelings with your art! Drawings, poetry, etc. are all healthy ways to manage the feelings related to trauma.
7. Consider writing a journal of your experience or feelings.
8. Seek to gain perspective on the experience. This is often helped by participation in counseling. Other aids may include reading, spiritual reflection or involvement in support groups.
9. Take Breaks.
10. Use Relaxation methods (breathing exercises, mediation, calming self-talk, soothing music).
11. Exercise in moderation.

We are here for you to process the recent tragedy. If you need to talk to someone please give us a call. We will set up an appointment or come to your class.

You may experience some of the symptoms below, this is normal!

• Shock: Often the initial reaction to events like this. Shock is the person's emotional protection from being too overwhelmed by the event. You may feel stunned, numb, or in disbelief concerning the event.
• Suffering: This is the long period of grief during which the person gradually comes to terms with the reality of the event/loss. Feelings that life is overwhelming, chaotic and disorganized are common.
• Sadness: The most common feeling found following traumatic events like this. It may be quite intense and be experienced as emptiness or despair.
• Anger: Can be one of the most confusing feelings for the grieving person. Anger is a response to feeling powerless, frustrated, or even abandoned.
• Anxiety: Can range from mild insecurity to strong panic attacks. Often grievers become anxious about their inability to take care of themselves, or fear an event like this will happen to them or a loved one.

It's good to talk about it! We are here for YOU...give us a call! The Counseling and Psychological Services Center at 262-3180.