Mental Health Tips in the Wake of Trauma
When tragedy occurs, our sense of well-being feels violated. Elizza LeJeune, LMSW, offers tips on how to care for ourselves in the wake of trauma.
Caring For Yourself When There’s Tragic News
Disturbing and traumatic news of terrorism, violence and natural disasters can lead to PSTD-like symptoms. Learn how to recognize the signs and care for yourself.
How to Talk to Children About Difficult News
Children's lives are touched by trauma on a regular basis, no matter how much parents or teachers try to keep the "bad things" away. Instead of shielding children from the dangers, violence or tragedies around us, adults should talk to...
Managing Traumatic Stress After a Tornado
The effects of tornadoes can be long-lasting and the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster. It is common for people who have experienced traumatic situations to have very strong emotional reactions. Understanding normal…
Pine Rest Sends a Team of Clinicians to Las Vegas to Help Trauma Victims Amid Tragic Shooting
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services PAX Crisis Response sent a team of nine mental health clinicians to assist local authorities and treat trauma victims of the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team left Grand Rapids today,…
Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
You may be struggling to understand how a shooting could occur and why such a terrible thing would happen. There may never be satisfactory answers to these questions. We do know, though, that it is typical for people to experience a variety…
Contain the Crisis: Slowing Down Reactive Behavior
By Bob VandePol, MSW Have you ever noticed how tragedies so often lead to additional tragedies? When under the influence of the shock of traumatic stress, people - whether part of a family, an organization and/or a community - often...
When an Employee Dies: Suggestions for Managers
By Bob VandePol, MSW Under any circumstances, the death of an associate provides a daunting leadership challenge. All eyes will be on you as leader and how you respond will echo throughout the team. Your team will never forget your...
9 Tips for Supporting Someone After a Loved One Dies
By Bob VandePol, MSW Supporting someone after a loved one dies provides a daunting challenge. Those you reach out to will never forget your response. Neither will you. The following suggestions have proven helpful: 1. Listening is the most effective communication tool....
How to Communicate Following a Suicide: 4 Lessons From the Media
By Bob VandePol, MSW More than 50 research studies worldwide have found that certain types of news coverage can increase the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable individuals. The magnitude of the increase is related to the amount, duration and prominence...