Don't Panic When Receiving Disaster Risk Information, Find Trusted Sources

JAKARTA - Disaster risk information has been widely spread on social media lately. People tend to respond to information on the risk of natural disasters with panic. It is necessary to take wise steps when receiving such news.

"When we face critical (situation), people usually have four ways of thinking," said clinical psychologist who graduated from the University of Indonesia Annisa Mega Radyani, M. Psi. quoted from ANTARA on Saturday, August 24.

He said that in this case there are people who tend to simplify and sort information based on the things they understand only.

According to him, such a way of thinking can be dangerous because it makes the person concerned not understand full information.

In addition, Annisa said, often people rely or believe in things that have been believed in advance. Confidence in something that is imprinted on thoughts like this can actually lead to allegations that trigger panic.

He said that there were also people who responded to information about certain critical conditions by finding out more about the risks.

Such a response could make the person concerned access too much information, including irrelevant things, and panic.

"Often we get too much to know too much and when too many people know we end up panicking too much and finally we kick it off, we find out information but we don't do anything," said Annisa.

In addition, according to him, there are people who tend to continue to believe the first information obtained. In fact, information about the risk of natural disasters continues to grow.

Based on the tendency of people's way of thinking after receiving disaster risk information, Annisa stated the need to take steps so that they can still think rationally and not panic when receiving information about the risk of natural disasters.

After receiving information about certain disaster risks, he suggested, it is better to seek and absorb information carefully and completely from several credible sources.

Annisa emphasized the importance of accessing information about disaster risk from trusted sources, considering that information that has not been confirmed can now be quickly circulated on the internet and social media.

"So, don't believe from one or two sources, especially from social media. We need to know, look for reliable sources, be it news sources and research," he said.

In addition to finding out for yourself, sharing information that has been checked the truth with those closest to you is also good to do.

Annisa also reminded people who feel scared when facing critical situations not to hold them back themselves, but to convey what they feel to those closest to them.

"Always invite other people to be able to support or protect each other and share information as well," he said.

Annisa said that panic and anxiety arise after receiving information about the risk of natural disasters.

People who feel panicked, according to him, should take the time to calm down before taking the necessary disaster mitigation steps.

Mitigation measures that can be carried out include making a list of needs during natural disasters and preparing the items needed in a rational disaster emergency condition.

"Try to write down all the information and things that we have to prepare, and of course not alone. Try to invite other people to discuss, so that we can discuss to what extent what we have written is still in a reasonable and rational stage," said Annisa.