Mental health support during a crisis

It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a stressful situation.  

Everyone reacts differently, and your own feelings will change over time. Notice and accept how you feel. Self-care during a stressful situation will help your long-term healing. Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and protect yourself and your loved ones.

Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength.  

• Kids Help Phone – Text TALK to 686868 or call  1-800-668-6868  to chat with a volunteer Crisis Responder 24/7.  
• CHIMO Helpline – Help is just a phone call away: 1-800-667-5005  
• Hope for Wellness Helpline – The Hope for Wellness Helpline offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people across Canada: 1-855-242-3310   
• Bridge the gapp – If you are finding it difficult hard to cope or feel anxious, Bridge the gapp offers many services to support your wellbeing.  

People with pre-existing mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plans and monitor for any new symptoms. If you experience stress reactions for several days in a row and are unable to carry out normal responsibilities because of them, contact your health care provider or your local addictions and mental health centres.  

Emergencies can cause emotional and physical reactions. Most people caught in an emergency situation usually feel confused and may not act like themselves for a while. They may tremble or feel numb. It is common to feel bewildered, shocked, and relieved to be alive. It's important for people dealing with an emergency to take good care of themselves and their families.

Following are tips to New Brunswick families dealing with an emergency:

• rest often and eat well
• keep a manageable schedule - make a list and do one job at a time
• get as much physical activity as possible
• ask for and accept help from others
• give someone a hug – touching is very important
• think about the coping skills used at other difficult times and use them now
• focus on positive memories

It’s important to be aware of children’s reactions. They might start thumb-sucking or bed-wetting, become clingy or fearful. Children might withdraw and try to be brave when they really need reassurance. To get the family back on track, talk about what’s happened. Here are some suggestions:

• encourage children to express themselves - they may want to do this by drawing or playing instead of talking
• take their fears seriously, reassure them and give them additional attention
• talk to them about what has happened. Be honest but gentle
• at a time like this, it’s important for the whole family to stay together, even if it seems easier to look for housing or help without them
• give them a real task to do in helping the family back on its feet - let them help in planning something to remember the loss
• watch for health problems and signs of stress, such as nightmares and depression, in you and all members of the family
• continue with regular routines (teeth brushing, bedtime stories) and chores (picking out their own clothes to wear, etc.)
• avoid or minimize watching news reports of frightening events