What Can You Do?
Tragedy can affect anyone. What if I know someone who has been affected by a crime, disaster or tragedy?
If someone you love has experienced a tragic event, you know how much he/she has been hurt. As a loved one, you suffer too.
You can help the survivor by:
- believing them.
- letting him/her talk as much or as little as they want and LISTEN.
- giving him/her time. Allow him/her to heal at their own pace.
- understanding that every survivor of a tragic event reacts differently and has different needs.
- letting him/her know it’s okay to feel the way they do.
- accepting the survivor’s decisions in dealing with the event.
- not telling other people without his/her permission.
You can help yourself by:
- not blaming yourself for what has happened to the survivor.
- allowing yourself to feel a range of emotions, including guilt, anger, concern, disbelief and sadness.
- knowing your limits and knowing that you too may need support as you deal with the experience of your loved one. There are people who want to help and support you.