Walking with internationals through crises

1. Walking with internationals through crises EDITH Johnson

2. I. Importance OF A BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW • A. Living in a Fallen World • B. Part of a much bigger plan Scriptures: John 16:33, John 14:1-2, John 14:27, Romans 12:15, Psalm 34:18, II Corinthians 1:3-11

3. II. DEFINITIONS TRAUMA: • A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident • An emotional wound shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person, often leading to neurosis • An event or situation that causes great distress and disruption. (American Heritage Dictionary) CRITICAL INCIDENT: An emotional significant event which initiates a crisis response

4. Definitions continued… CRISIS: “an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending, esp. one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome” (Webster’s 9TH New Collegiate Dictionary) CRISIS RESPONSE: one’s response to a critical incident

5. III. TYPES OF CRISES Normative • Transitions of life can be crises: Traumatic • Disturbing critical incidents:

6. IV. ELEMENTS OF CRISIS • It is unique to the person experiencing it • Our responses needs to be tailored to the person experiencing the crisis • George S Everly, Jr, 2000 quote • “The person in crisis perceives the circumstances to be threatening to his or her health and well-being” • Old ways of coping don’t work- need to ways to deal with increased stress • Crisis represents a turning point • Something must be done differently than before • Choices people make at these turning points can be positive or negative

7. CHINESE Character for crisis: danger + opportunity • Magnitude of the Crisis: • How many people are affected • How long-lasting are the consequences • In crisis people tend to have strong reactions ALARM REACTION: Flight, fight it freeze-temporarily lose the ability to make good decisions • Need supportive, safe environment • Normal reactions to an abnormal event

8. V. GOALS OF CRISIS INTERVENTION (G. Everly, 2000) • Stabilization: of signs and symptoms of distress “What can I do now that will keep the victim’s distress from escalating?” • Mitigations of symptoms/signs of distress “What can I do now that will assist in reducing the victim’s distress” • Restoration of functional capabilities “Is this person capable of returning, in an unassisted manner, to home, work, etc? • Referral to or follow-up if person cannot return to normal: “Does this person need professional assistance in order to return home, to work, etc?”

9. vi. What is crisis intervention “The provision of emergency psychological care to victims (so) as to assist them in returning to an adaptive level of functioning...” • Crises are usually sudden, unexpected, unplanned for. • Initial Information • Initial Response • When you, the helper, needs help: if you are too close to the people involved, you may need to call for help

10. vii. Basic principles of crisis intervention • Intervene as quickly as possible- SHOW UP • Stabilize: MOBILIZE resources and support networks • ASSESS the situation, needs etc (SD…ambulance, children) • Physical needs: water, food, shelter, medical attention • Emotional needs: Safety-from media, onlookers, etc. • Restore some routine and order • Help in making decision: what to do next? • Communication: who to tell what? • Who to involve • Public relations…who handles the media • Ongoing communication with family, friends, advisors

11. Crisis intervention continued… • Information • Facilitate understanding • Collect Needed information and disperse • NORMALIZE: NORMAL REACTION TO AN ABNORMAL EVENT • Explain what people usually feel: “It’s alright to be upset or distressed…it’s normal and even healthy…” • EDUCATE the person, and all those involved, about the symptoms of a Crisis or Trauma: Often a person’s greatest fear is that he or she may be going crazy because of the intensity of their emotions/reactions.

12. Crisis intervention continued… • Emotional Support: How to help • LISTEN: Help them talk about what they have experienced • Help them tell their own story • Help them face the loss – use the words death, sexual abuse, suicide etc. • Be sensitive to their personality and culture • ASK: how would this be handled back home? • DISCUSS THOUGHTS FIRST: “Where were you when it happened?” “Can you describe what happened?” “What were your thoughts or want went through your mind when this happened?” “What do you think about the event now?”

13. CRISIS INTERVENTION CONTINUED… • DISCUSS FEELINGS “What is the worst part for you?” “What was your response or your reaction to this?” “What were/are you feeling?” Help the person identify and express their feelings… “I hope you feel the freedom to express your loss in tears in front of me. I won’t be embarrassed or upset. I just want to be here with you.” How do people express their sadness, fear, anger, etc. back home?

14. CRISIS INTERVENTION CONTINUED… • Steps to Recovery: A hurting person needs to: • Face the loss: acknowledge it and understand it • Experience the pain!!!! It’s going to hurt worse before it gets better • Don’t minimize or distract • Provide a safe place to talk about one’s loss • Acknowledge and respond to the separation from what has been lost: • Readjust to their new world without whatever has been lost • Learn to say goodbye

15. CRISIS INTERVENTION CONTINUED… • Focus on Problem-Solving & Encourage Self Reliance: • Help victims use resources to regain control/solve problems • Help victims develop practical strategies to address problems

16. VIII. WHEN A PERSON CANT SEEM TO RECOVER: POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER • What is PTSD? • Ongoing distress and recurring invasive memories which disrupt life • PTSD may develop following exposure to extreme trauma • Extreme trauma is terrifying event… • The experience cause the person to feel intense fear • The stress caused by trauma can affect all aspects of person’s life • Prolonged trauma may disrupt and alter brain chemistry • Time for Professional Help

17. IX. SPIRITUAL ISSUES IN CRISIS • Two questions people ask in crisis • Is God good? • Is God active/involved?...does He care? • Answering these questions • For ourselves as helpers • Answer with deeds, not words • Showing up: Just being there • MEMORY IS ACUTE • Jesus Understands & identifies with those who suffer

18. When Your Rope Breaks by Steve Brown “(Christ) suffered not to keep you from suffering, but to suffer just as you must suffer. He felt fear and temptation not just to keep you from feeling fear and temptation, but to be afraid and tempted the way you are afraid and tempted. He experienced loss of friends, family, and support not just to keep you from that loss, but to lose friends, family and support as you must lose them.”

19. QUESTIONS