Look for the Helpers

Source: ELG21 - Pixabay

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" —Fred Rogers

For some, the term “First Responder” is synonymous with the New York City firefighters and police officers who were on the scene on the World Trade Center attacks 22 years ago; 343 firefighters died that day. In the ensuing days, these heroes searched the rubble for survivors, and then in the weeks that followed, they sought the remains of those who had been killed. Since 9-11, 341 more firefighters have died from lung, brain, and kidney damage due to exposure to hazardous materials and toxic substances. Many others continue to suffer from these ailments.

However, the true definition of “first responder” is much broader. It includes not only firefighters but paramedics, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, members of volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross, and others. Our colleague and co-developer of Time Perspective Therapy, the late Richard Sword, Ph.D., worked in disaster stress control management with state and federal governments for decades. His experiences, along with those of coauthor Rose Sword, who has been volunteering for the Red Cross on Maui following the recent devastating wildfires, inform our advice for first responders, mental health professionals, and all those who will be impacted by the increasing number of climate change natural disasters.

For all of us

First and foremost, take care of your physical needs and those of your loved ones. Your loved ones, or you, may exhibit acute stress disorder (ASD) for the first month, but you may be too busy to notice. ASD can feel as if one is reliving a bad dream. They may disassociate from the fear and horror that they survived. They may be depressed, have anxiety, experience difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and not handle situations as well as they used to before the disaster. If symptoms last more than a month, they may be experiencing PTSD, which has similar symptoms.

Make time to be there for your family and friends in this time of need. Who wouldn’t be depressed and anxious or have nightmares after their life has been turned upside down? As you start to get your bearings and some semblance of routine returns, watch for symptoms – in yourself and those close to you. If you notice symptoms such as recurring nightmares, fear of leaving home or going outside, frequently looking out the window, or hiding, seek help from a mental-health professional.

People often go through certain stages following a major disaster. At first we may experience the “happy to survive” phase, which can last for a few days to a few of weeks, or longer if a person is a strong optimist. Then, as reality sets in and perhaps needed resources and supplies are delayed, the “irritability and anger” stage commences. Some people may turn to fatalism and feel their reality has become so difficult they can never recover. Understandably, people want things to be the way they were before the disaster and when it becomes clear that it may take weeks, months, or years to fully recover, fear and frustration can arise as anger. Lashing out at others, including loved ones, is not unusual. Feelings of powerlessness, helplessness, and lack of control can drive the best of us to act out – including first responders.

Folks need someone to talk to and want to feel that person is actively listening to them. They don’t want to feel judged. They want to be understood and told it's okay and that it’s actually normal to feel the way they do. And it is. They’ve already lost huge parts of their lives – and in some cases loved ones. For many people, self-esteem will be a big part of the loss. Share with them that what they are feeling is temporary and in time they will regain most of their losses. Their new lives may be totally different from what they had in the past, maybe simpler, but it can be equally as good. Possessions may be lost, but love of family and friends can strengthen.

For optimists

Other people, though they may be relatively rare, may be able hold on to a strong internal sense of optimism. If you are among this group, be prepared to shine that light on others. Gently remind people of the spirit of creating a better, more sustainable future. Helping to foster a willingness to work together can begin to give hope to those affected by disasters.

We’ve learned from the citizens of Japan, who suffered a 9.1 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami 12 years ago, that it is possible to evaluate, plan, budget, and execute extraordinary changes in a fairly short amount of time. And we learn from the Ukrainian people that even in the midst of war, it’s possible to rebuild back better after towns have been destroyed.

For First Responders

The heroes who respond to climate change disasters such as wildfires, megastorms, and hurricanes may have an especially difficult time. Their anxiety level exponentially increases if they've left their families, perhaps without having had a chance to say goodbye or guide them to safety, before putting their lives on the line for others. Many will not learn how their loved ones fared for days.

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If you are a first responder, work hard to not feel guilty about leaving your family. They know that you have chosen your line of work and are proud of you. And the people you have helped are grateful beyond words. Rest when you can and seek help when you need it. Watch for signs of ASD and PTSD and if you notice them, check the resources below.

For mental health professionals

Your role is incredibly important. You may want to help as soon as possible. But if you and your loved ones were affected by the disaster, take care of yourself and those closest to you first. Many people will need you in the near future. Be aware of how much you can help and how long you can volunteer within the context of your other professional obligations.

The enormity of the situation may cause overwhelming stress and “compassion burnout” to sneak up on therapists working in a disaster or recovery zone. Be conscientious about your own health, needs, and limits. In other words, don’t take a disaster (possibly you) to a disaster. It might be useful to remember that we choose to be in the field to help alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety and offer encouragement to as many people as possible in some of the most difficult situations.

Once we’ve compassionately listened to the terrifying and sorrowful experiences others have endured, let’s draw upon, and share hope for, a different, yet still bright future. When we are those “boots on the ground," we can gain strength when we help others, by working together, and being there for each other. And when you look in the mirror, know with certainty that you’ll be looking at who Mr. Rogers’s mother was talking about: a helper.