Kobieta z dzieckiem

Pomoc dla Ukrainy

TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUR UKRAINE NEIGHBOURS, we need to learn a few important principles

  • HOW TO COPE WITH  CRISIS ?
  • HOW TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO PAIN, SHOCK, SUFFERING AND DIFFICULT EMOTIONS?
  • HOW CAN WE WISELY SUPPORT OUR GUESTS  who have suffered traumatic experiences during the war?
  • HOW TO COORDINATE ACTIVITIES WITH PEOPLE experiencing emotional shock?

LET'S START FROM THE BEGINNING

 

WE KNOW THAT OUR UKRAINIAN FRIENDS HAVE EXPERIENCED WAR TRAUMA


 this is the most powerful condition of anxiety triggered by war

  • the omnipresence of death and cruelty, to which the human mind, in spite of its great adaptability, is not able to fully become accustomed to;
  • the constant fear of one's own life in its most immediate dimension -

all of this makes civilian people living in the areas affected by warfare experience very strong trauma


WHAT CAN WE OBSERVE IN OUR UKRAINIAN STUDENTS?

  • very high levels of perceived anxiety;
  • trembling, feeling of lack of control and overreacting to sounds and other stimuli;
  • lack of appetite, poor nutrition, headaches or stomachaches;
  • sudden, unrestrained sobbing;
  • bed-wetting - especially in children;
  • frustration, feelings of shame and alienation, negative perceptions of reality;
  • SHOCK, i.e. feelings of unreality, terror, numbness, confusion, depersonalization, inability to receive any intellectual information, overexcitation
    emotional SHOCK can last up to 3 months and this is a deep feeling of MOURNING, not only after the death of a loved one, but mourning for everything that was close and familiar in life, and for the vision of one's own future, the loss of the past and the future, saying goodbye to one's former life, to one's loved ones, and also to one's plans, dreams or work.

If the effects of the trauma persist for 3 months, there is a suspicion of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and specialist help must be sought.

PROJEKT WSPARCIA FINANSOWEGO

HOW CAN I HELP?

4 principles:


1. I SHOULD SHOW RESPECT
We should meet the other person treating them with dignity. WE SHOULD SHOW RESPECT


2. I SHOULD SIMPLY BE THERE FOR THE OTHER PERSON
The first stage of helping is just being present and taming emotions, sometimes helping to name them. A traumatised person is often cut off from their emotions, let alone other resources. Such people may lose contact with their surroundings, crying all the time.


3. I MUST ACCEPT EMOTIONS
If I encounter a behaviour or emotion that I don't understand:
    • I should draw the person's attention to the sensations in the body: for example I may ask if they are comfortable and warm?
    • I should not ask about what happened.
If the person is absent-minded or gets into panic:
    • I try to focus their attention on the present, saying: "you are safe", "you can be calm", "you can relax", it is safe here", "you are not in danger “.
If the person is crying:
    • I should be  'present' and 'available'. We do not need to be afraid of feelings. It is a natural reaction of relaxation, bringing relief.
    • I should not impose my presence or cross boundaries (before touching and hugging anyone, I must ask for permission first).
If somebody is very closed and difficult to communicate with:
    • they need a lot of patience, gentleness and time.
    • it is important to direct their thoughts to the "here and now"
    • we may suggest some pleasant activities


4.  I SHOULD TRY TO IDENTIFY 'RESOURCES’ or ways of relieving stress
Most of us have the resources to cope with extremely  difficult situations. Let's try to answer the question if we can recognize what could help our subjects.
The most common resources are:
    1. religion and spirituality;
    2. relationships and conversations;
    3. sports and physical activities;
    4. artistic and creative activities;
    5. science fiction movies and books;
    6. planning/evaluating;
We should try to help the subject to use his/her own “resources” of coping with stress: spiritual resources - by praying together; relationships: by talking; physical activity: by going for a walk together, etc.


SUMMARY

1. THINGS I SHOULD NEVER DO
I should not ask questions about the traumatic experience;
I should not do everything for the other person, I should not make every effort to help  (I always ask before I give support);
I should not judge, interrupt or criticise any behaviours that are difficult to understand;
I should not advise or comfort at a push;
I should not hug or touch anyone without consent (such behaviour may release aggression);
I should not ask questions;
I should not seek resources at a push;
I should not plan for someone else;
I should not deny realities and feelings;
if a refugee wants to talk about war, I should not avoid the topic of war, loss.


2. THINGS I SHOULD  TRY TO DO
I should show friendship, empathy and understanding, but without imposing myself;
I should create a friendly atmosphere, for example by saying "are you safe", "would you like some tea?", "how about something warm to eat", "do you need a blanket?";
I am there for another person, even if it is just a silent presence - this is important;
I show understanding and listen;
I allow the other person to express what they feel, without interruption or unnecessary comments;
I should support wisely, giving control as often as possible (I let the other person decide if they need support and what kind);
I give a sense of security;
I make sure, if possible, that the refugee has his/her clothes and belongings with them - they are a bridge with the world from which he/she was taken;
I try to divert the conversation towards the good moments in life;
I try to encourage deep breathing.
 

For those who want to help:
- we should remember about secondary traumatisation, so when helping others we should also take care of ourselves, of our own regeneration and time in private.
Written by: Agata Wiktoria Śmierzyńska, kierownik projektu „LIFELINE” Project Manager, Monika Szary, Psychotraumatologist, Aneta Lis-Kotowska, Psychotraumatologist


DID YOU KNOW THAT ??

You will hear further instructions and other stories during our meetings with mental health professionals working in Sderot, the Gaza Strip and among the Syrians

There is a lot of information on the Internet; however, the information we may find online is not always relevant and we often do not know where to look for valuable knowledge. 

THIS IS WHY WE ORGANISE TRAINING SEMINARS WHICH MAY HELP!!!

WE WANT TO INVITE YOU TO TAKE PART IN A SERIES OF FANTASTIC MEETINGS WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND ACTIVISTS FROM POLAND AND OTHER COUNTRIES, including practitioners who have been working in the war zone for years!


…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

If you find these instructions useful:
1. forward them to a friend
2. visit our website www.aniolykultury.pl and:
- join our training seminars
- watch our videos
3. you can make a donation:
26102028920000530207962279
Angels of Culture Foundation, bank transfer name: “women from Ukraine”
(for foreign transfers: IBAN: PL / SWIFT: BPKOPLPW)


…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..