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If you or a loved one is in crisis, call 911 or Crisis Connection, available 24 hours a day at 866.427.4747
The following information is meant as a general discussion of crisis and supports and should not take the place of necessary clinical interventions.
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Thinking About CrisisA crisis can take many forms; unexpected, expected, physical, psychological, or environmental. A potentially unanticipated effect of crisis can be its longevity. As visualized in this graphic, crisis is often met with a period of confusion, discomfort, and high-risk emotions. However, systems then adapt by accessing resources and support and become better equipped to cope with the next complex event. Sometimes, an unprecedented crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or other large crises, the sheer size and scope calls for a profound response. During a major crisis, we simply aren't yet able to reorganize and recover.
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How Anxiety Presents ItselfThis is a complex issue as responses to crisis and stress can vary widely. You know your baseline better than anyone. Trust your judgement and acknowledge the reality. We are all impacted in different ways and manifest anxiety uniquely.
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Accessing Supports and Strategies
Just as presentations of anxiety differ, so do the supports and strategies individuals will respond to. This depends on many factors including age, personality type and role within the system. For younger children, safety and security will be paramount, whereas middle/high school age students might want facts to fill in the hole that uncertainty creates. For some, cognitive restructuring or challenging irrational thoughts or beliefs may be helpful when anxiety peaks. For others, finding purpose and returning to gratitude might serve them well. In general, resilience-based strategies, as well as mindful practices, can go a long way in supporting ourselves and our community with regard to this crisis.
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