Don't ignore yourself during disasters, this is a psychologist's advice
JAKARTA - Clinical psychologist and volunteer of the Health Reserve Team (TCK) from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Anna Aulia, reminded the importance of maintaining mental conditions when facing disaster situations.
"Many people force themselves to continue to help, even though they themselves are not calm," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday (21/2).
According to Anna, who served as a volunteer in Aceh Tamiang, many new survivors realized that they were experiencing psychological stress after the condition began to stabilize.
When disasters occur, they tend to focus on saving their families and meeting basic needs, without paying attention to their own conditions.
He suggested the first step is to recognize changes in oneself.
Changes in sleep patterns, eating patterns, to unstable emotions can be a sign of psychological stress.
"Physical is the initial notification. If sleep is disturbed or emotions are easily exploded, it needs to be considered," he said.
Anna also advised survivors to limit excessive exposure to information, including from social media. The continuous flow of information can strengthen feelings of anxiety and fear.
In addition, maintaining a simple routine is considered important to help mental stability.
Consistent daily activities can help a person feel that they still have control over their life.
He emphasized that if the condition does not improve or becomes more disruptive to activities and social relationships, it is best to seek professional help immediately.
"If you can't recover on your own, don't hesitate to come to a professional," he said.
The volunteer deployment of TCK in Aceh itself is part of the government program through the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI) in strengthening post-flood health services in Aceh.
The Ministry of Health has deployed TCK to ensure that health services continue to run, including mental health support for affected communities.
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