How Else Can We Help? Dealing with Ondoy’s Emotional Aftermath

Over the weekend Typhoon Ondoy changed the lives of countless Filipinos. He spared no one. He knew no class, race or status. Hand in hand with Mother Nature, Ondoy showed us that we are not defined by what we have or who we are. Stories of loss and devastation are endless, as our stories of survival, gratitude, and yes, hope.

Today, we all begin the monumental task of rebuilding, not just homes, but lives. Many families are literally starting from scratch. As they pick up the pieces and start over, let us all offer up our prayers and support to them. Beyond prayers, let us also all get together and pitch in. There are countless ways in which we all can help. Many of us have taken on the challenge: donating, volunteering, spreading information. And yet, some still ask, how else can we help?

Over the next few days, psychosocial rehabilitation will be an increasing need.After the body is cared for, let us also find ways to help care for the souls of our countrymen. This is another way in which we can help.

If what we were witnessing unfold on television was heartbreaking, I can only imagine how terrifying and traumatizing being in that situation was and still is. When faced with such trauma, it is possible (and highly likely) that individuals undergo an emotional crisis or some form of post traumatic stress.  We might never know the extent of their grief or bereavement. They may be overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety, depression, despair, frustration which may not necessarily be felt right now, but may escalate as the days go by.  Post-traumatic stress can be like a devil in disguise. We may think our friends and family are okay and that they are coping with it but then symptoms and manifestations of PTSD may come like a theif in the night. Read more about PTSD here.

How can we help?

1. Lend a listening ear. Listen to their stories and help them process and grieve. You do not need to offer advice. A sympathetic ear and sincerely caring for what they have to say can go a long way.

2. Offer the right words of comfort. Many of us may think we are comforting with our words, but sometimes, we inadvertently downplay their feelings, thus leaving them even more grief-stricken or pained.

3. Find story books to help children cope with their feelings of loss and devastation. Also, allow them to ask questions and answer these as honestly as possible. This will help them feel safe and assured with what is going on around them.

4. Do not underestimate the small stuff. Picking up their mail, taking their kids out for the afternoon so they can have some time to themselves, or perhaps cooking them a home-cooked meal can be very helpful and comforting.

5. Lastly and most importantly,do not assume you know the answers. If your friend or family member is undergoing  emotional problems or distress, consult a psychologist, grief counselor, psychiatrist, priest, and similarly trained professionals.

* I will update this post when I gather information about how psychologists, counselors and similar volunteers can help providing psychosocial rehabilitation and care. As far as I know, groups are being mobilized and organized as I publish this post.

UPDATE:

Ateneo Psych Department is organizing CISD efforts. Faculty and Psych Students are invited to coordinate with the department for briefing.

Efforts in the South area are being organized by some of my fellow DLSU Grad Students. If you are from the South and are interested in joining in, please leave a comment and/or email me your contact details at yapatoots@gmail.com and I will send these to those organizing efforts.
The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) calls on everyone to attend the Orientation and Organizational Meeting on Stress Debriefing for Survivors of Typhoon Ondoy this Saturday, October 3, 2009, 8-12 noon at the Alip Seminar Room, Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC), Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, QC. This is open to both PAP and non PAP members who would like to extend their help.

Interested participants are requested to send their names and mobile phone numbers to any of the following:

Allan Bernardo – 09176256349

Caring Tarroja – 09285018013

Isabel Melgar – 09209532409

PAP Secretariat – 09277872012

You may also email your name and mobile phone number to jaysaplala@yahoo.com or through my Twitter account, http://www.facebook.com/l/a48de;twitter.com/jsaplala. You may also email the PAP Secretariat, pap_1962_08@yahoo.com .

Your presence this Saturday would be most valuable to those in need. Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon

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