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Cyclone Gabrielle – Helpful Tips

Cyclone Gabrielle

Resources of Support

We encourage you to connect with your friends, family and community.

Ask for help and seek support. Give support when you can and also care for yourself.

Here are some thoughts on the feelings that accompany disaster events such as this, and recognising the signs of stress – followed by some helpful numbers. These may be useful for discussions with family members or to pass on to your patients and communities. (Thanks to the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) for sharing these resources)

Understand Disaster Events

Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be even more devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business or personal property.

  • Everyone who sees or experiences a disaster is affected by it in some way.
  • It is normal to feel anxious about your own safety and that of your family and close friends.
  • Profound sadness, grief and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event.
  • Acknowledging your feelings helps you recover.
  • Focusing on your strengths and abilities helps you heal.
  • Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy.
  • Everyone has different needs and different ways of coping.
  • It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused great pain.

Recognise Signs of Disaster-Related Stress

When adults have the following signs, they might need crisis counseling or stress management assistance:

  • Difficulty communicating thoughts.
  • Difficulty sleeping.
  • Difficulty maintaining balance in their lives.
  • Low threshold of frustration.
  • Increased use of drugs/alcohol.
  • Limited attention span.
  • Poor work performance.
  • Headaches/stomach problems.
  • Tunnel vision/muffled hearing.
  • Colds or flu-like symptoms.
  • Disorientation or confusion.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Reluctance to leave home.
  • Depression, sadness.
  • Feelings of hopelessness.
  • Mood-swings and easy bouts of crying.
  • Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt.
  • Fear of crowds, strangers, or being alone

New Zealand Crisis Phone Numbers