Virginia TechApril 19, 2007

Recovery Strategies

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Purpose

To help you understand and appreciate the emotional impact of what has occurred, so that you will be better able to help yourself, your students, and others, cope with this tragedy

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Leadership = Self-Care + Vision + Action

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Common Physical Reactions to Trauma

Rapid heart rate Chills Tremors Dizziness GI upset, nausea

Increased blood pressure

Fatigue Headaches Sleep disturbance Chest pains

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Cognitive Reactions to Trauma

Confusion Poor problem solving Distractibility, Inattention Difficulty with simple arithmetic Disorientation of time, space or person Heightened or lowered alertness

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Behavioral Reactions to Trauma

Difficulty sleeping, Nightmares Appetite disturbance Increased startle response Withdrawal from crowds, isolation Avoidance of situations associated with

the trauma Self-medication

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Emotional Reactions to Trauma

Guilt Anger Fear Anxiety Shock

Disbelief Sadness Hopelessness Irritability Numbness

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Life-View Reactions to Trauma

Feeling as though the world no longer makes sense, is unjust, or is unfair

Coming to terms with one’s own mortality Questioning one’s religious beliefs and

faith Questioning who/what can I trust? Re-evaluating one’s sense of personal

safety

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Leadership Positioning - ACT

Acknowledge and name the incident

Communicate competence and compassion

Transition to a future focus

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Leadership Vision and Action

Fear Safety Isolation Connectivity Chaos Structure Helplessness Efficacy Victim Survivor

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Things to Remember

No one who sees a violent crime is untouched by it

It is normal to feel anxious about your own and your loved ones’ safety

Profound sadness, grief, and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event

Acknowledging our feelings helps us recover

Focusing on our strengths and abilities helps us move on

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Things to Remember (continued)

Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy

We each have different needs and different ways of coping

It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused pain. However, nothing good is accomplished by hateful language or actions

– US Dept of Mental Health

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Ways to Ease Stress

Talk with someone about your feelings even though it may be difficult

Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by staying active in your daily life patterns or by adjusting them. Include healthy diet, rest, exercise, and relaxation

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Ways to Ease Stress (continued)

Spend time with family and friends Participate in memorials, rituals, and

use of symbols as a way to express feelings.

Use existing support groups of family, friends, and church.

– US Dept of Mental Health

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Resources

For counseling services, go to the Squire Student Center.

For additional services contact your Employee Assistance Program 866- 725-0602 . Assistance is available 24/7

www.achievesolutions.net/covacare  VA Tech specific website: http://

virginiatech.healthandperformancesolutions.net/