BRRH stresses to reach out for help when you need it

Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out for Help When You Need It, Especially After What Our Community Has Experienced — It’s a Strength, Not a Weakness

Six months after our region suffered the devastation of Hurricane Helene, we are still dealing with the fallout, and many have been traumatized. I’d like to talk about the lasting stress of traumatic events, like the storm, and the many others associated with them, including death and destruction of property. As we try to recover, we may find ourselves isolated, confused about what to do next, and simply overwhelmed.

April is Stress Awareness Month, and a time to consider where you are in terms of handling your stress. Our communities have been dealing with much more than the typical everyday stresses associated with work, family and friend relationships, finances, and other challenges most people face.

I hear frequently from community members that things are certainly not back to normal for them and that the stress that remains from what we all experienced because of the hurricane continues to present challenges that are difficult to cope with as we try to push forward.

We live in a culture that prizes resilience and individual strength, but never have we needed a sense of close community more urgently than now. Resilience may not always look like steely reserve and stoicism either. It can look like making it through another day pursing resources like food and housing, taking care of your family, and keeping your emotions together.

My point is that the stress that follows an event like the hurricane is long-lasting and deeply impactful. This type of event is not something you just “get over” quickly, just by picking yourself up and brushing yourself off. It’s important to understand that if you’re struggling emotionally and having a hard time engaging or feeling depressed, you’re far from alone.

This is a time when I encourage community members to lean on each other and very importantly, ask for help. That might mean visiting a food bank, applying for FEMA funds, or seeking mental health counseling.

It’s also important to realize that asking for any kind of help is not a weakness, but a strength. By advocating for yourself and your mental and physical health, you’re doing something that services you, your family, and the community. Many of us are familiar with the phrase “put the oxygen mask over your own nose and mouth before you put it on someone else.” This has been said in the context of flying on a plane, but what it means overall is that we can’t truly help others unless we help ourselves first.

It doesn’t matter what stage of life we’re in, there are always people we can and should reach out to for help. For children, teens, and young adults, good people to reach out to include trusted adults like parents and teachers. People of all ages can seek support from trusted healthcare providers and professional counselors or social workers.

In a recent column, I talked at length about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a mental health professional who’s specially trained to serve people trying to cope with PTSD symptoms can truly make a difference in your life. They can listen, partner with you to develop a “toolbox” of healing strategies to use when you need them, and more.

I urge readers not to hold back on asking for help if you’re wrestling with depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and other difficult feelings. We know that our physical and mental health are intertwined, and that it’s important to pay attention to both in order to properly support our overall wellbeing. If you are in need of help, please visit your primary care provider.

Some encouraging news I would also like to share is that recently, in March, the North Carolina Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, visited Blue Ridge Regional Hospital to learn about our experience during the hurricane, how our region is recovering, and where we are with workforce development at this point.

This felt like needed, important support. Secretary Sangvai’s let us know during his visit that he sees us, supports us as we navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and is committed to being a champion for advanced, community-based healthcare.

Taking care of each other — in all ways, especially when we need someone to lean on during a hard time — is what makes our community, and BRRH, exceptional.