Earthquakes and other emergencies cause concern for people around the world. It’s normal to experience stress, anxiety and fear during natural or human-made disasters. However, it’s important to effectively manage our emotions and redirect our energy.
Here are some helpful steps to take:
1. Manage Your Stress
▪ Fight fear with facts. Refer to credible sources for periodic updates on the situation.
▪ Stay in familiar, comfortable surroundings.
▪ Keep usual routines for eating, sleeping and exercising.
▪ Try relaxing stretches and breathing exercises.
▪ Keep a positive attitude and outlook.
2. Prepare Yourself and Your Family
▪ Create or revise emergency plans for use in your home, work or car.
▪ Build or refresh emergency kits with basic supplies.
▪ Know how and where you’ll contact and meet up with your loved ones.
▪ Know your office building’s escape routes.
▪ Create or revise a plan to help care for persons with disabilities and other access and functional needs.
3. Connect with Your Community
▪ A strong social support network is a great defense against stress.
▪ Keep contact with friends, extended family, coworkers and neighbors.
▪ Join gatherings through a community or religious group.
▪ Participate in fun activities within your community and neighborhood.
4. Reach Out and Help
▪ Volunteering and donating time and resources to trustworthy charities are healthy and productive ways to get involved and help.
▪ Locate a charity or volunteer organization near you.
▪ Find out what’s needed and how you can be of most help.
▪ Encourage friends and family to get involved with you.
For more information, call the Department of Mental Health’s Access Line 24/7 Helpline at (800) 854-7771 or visit https://dmh.lacounty.gov/get-help-now.