Coping with a Disaster as a Relief Worker Disasters have a strong impact on the community it affects and on the relief workers who help. Here are several things to keep in mind as a relief worker so that you can cope with the devastation effectively. Disasters have a tremendous impact on a community and on families. Following a disaster there is a lot of work that must be done in order to rebuild the community and it will still never be the same. However, it is a great opportunity to get involved and help people who really need your help. This is particularly the case if you have electrical, structural, medical, or construction skills. Even if you do not have any skills in these areas your aid will still be very appreciated and used to help clear away debris and to comfort those who have faced devastating losses. It can be a very rewarding experience to be able to help these people. However, you will need to be careful that you do not overwork yourself when you go to help these people. Their loss will also have a profound impact on you and you need to make sure that you take steps so that you will not be too overwhelmed by it.
Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself Too When you go home at night, be sure to take some time to relax and let go of what you saw that day. Do something fun and re-adjust your schedule if the demand is too much. Something that can help you deal with the stress is preparing yourself to know what to expect when you leave to help. Make sure you have already grappled with the question, “Why do bad things happen?� By having an answer to this question, you will be better prepared to deal with the loss you see. It is also important to understand that everyone who is involved with a disaster in any way is affected by it.
Do not expect it to be different for yourself. In addition, know that it is normal to feel negative feelings such as sadness, grief, and anger because of what you see throughout the day. It is important to find positive outlets for these feelings instead of letting them consume you and escape in other ways. As you see the full impact of the situation, you will probably feel an increasing need to return home and do certain things to fully prepare your family. You will probably feel an increased lack of security for yourself and for your family. Instead of pushing these things aside, it is important to confront them and deal with them. This will help you feel happier and you will be able to resolve various issues much faster. Make sure that you focus on what you can give to people, even though you cannot replace their loss.
You can Contribute in More Ways Than You Think Remember that there is a lot you can contribute and that your strength can be very reassuring to some people. Your unique abilities can also help them on the path to healing from the devastation. However, as you try to help people, make sure that you fully understand the concept that different people will react and cope in different ways. Some people will want to talk it out, others will cry uncontrollably, and others will withdraw from social contacts for a while. Try to be understanding of these different needs and do not force them to talk about it if that is not their method of coping. Be aware that it is completely normal for you to need support and help as well, even though you have not directly experienced the loss. When you return home at night get the support you need from your spouse. Or talk to a close friend if this will help you resolve your feelings. You must make your own emotional and mental health a priority if you are going to be able to fully help these people. As you help, you will face many challenges and you need to be as prepared as much as possible to overcome these challenges.
Due to the high levels of need in the area, recovery workers are often asked to work very long hours. In addition, you will probably be asked to work in areas that are overcrowded, have poor sanitation, or present health risks. You will also witness death, illness, and grief in those around you. For the first time in your life, you may also see a shortage in basic supplies that everyone normally has. The sacrifice that you make to deal with these things will be very appreciated by those you serve. One of the things that you can do to help yourself cope with these things is maintain a normal household routine. Find different household projects or hobbies that you enjoy doing and do those when you get home. Staying busy can help your mind work through the alarm faster.