Thinking of you

Kia ora everyone,

My thoughts are with the people who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and the other major weather events that have happened in the North Island.

I think back to the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes and the psychological impacts they had on the Canterbury population. I can really understand how you guys are feeling, dealing with the stress that follows a disaster of this magnitude.

I was living in Timaru at the time of the February 2011 earthquake. More than 11,000 people who had been displaced or were seeking shelter with family or friends came through a welfare centre set up in Caroline Bay.

My role was to support those people dealing with the mental health impacts of the earthquake and the damage to their homes, communities and livelihoods. It gave me some insight into just how challenging it is when your whole world is turned upside down by a natural disaster.

After the Kaikoura earthquake in 2016, I spent some time dropping in by air to support the communities that had been isolated. Even the most significantly affected showed amazing resilience straight after the event, but as the adrenaline subsided the magnitude of the resulting issues became clear—dealing with insurance companies, isolation, disruption, loss of livelihood etc. You could see how feelings of uncertainty crept in over time. Sometimes the impact was not felt for many weeks or months.

Feeling numb, depressed, desperate or angry is normal in these circumstances— and those of you in the thick of this disaster will probably feel some or all of these things at some point. Time however, is a great healer and things will improve.

In the meantime, I’m thinking of all who are affected and I’m available to talk on the 0800 number. Find it in the member area at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under Wellbeing on Tap). Please feel free to give me a call.