Well, we had the disaster spill in the Gulf a couple of months ago…and we are now faced with the start of the hurricane season with hurricane Alex about to make landfall close to us. All of these can impact us, both physically and mentally. People might  feel that they are not in control, and that is true, as one cannot stop the oil spill or wish the hurricanes away.

In our everyday life, we all want our lives to have some normalcy, without any changes or surprises. When a change does happens, good or bad, it is automatically a stress that some can cope better than others. Getting married, getting divorced, having a child, seeing a child graduating high school and moving out to college, getting a new job or losing a job are events that are stressful.

Some people become more anxious, some more irritable or depressed, some might even go to a "denial" mode because they cannot accept ("handle") the change. Some of these responses are normal and necessary as they provide the drive to adapt to the new reality. But, for some people the intensity of these responses can be paralyzing and lead people to helplessness and withdrawal. One can minimize that impact by trying to prepare or "anticipate" what might come.

Like preparing for hurricanes, one can prepare for "life disasters." We need to stay in control of whatever we can get within our control. We can stay "informed" from credible sources about what are some of the challenges in different stages of our lives. When children are anxious about going to a new school or an approaching hurricane, we can acknowledge their fears and reassure them. We should not forget that we also need to acknowledge the same feelings in us. Instead of isolating, trying to talk to friends and family who experience similar life events can help ease some of the anxieties that changes bring.

We are for the most part resilient to life stressors. But sometimes, the effects of the life changes, like some of the hurricanes, can be so large that they overpower our coping abilities. When our feelings of depression and anxiety can become overwhelming, that's when it is time to seek help.  Help can be in the form of mental health services in the field after a natural disaster or a professional counselor after a "life disaster." In the event when someone is contemplating suicide, then one should seek professional help immediately!

Instead of denying that hurricanes will not "hit" us this year or "life disasters" will not happen to us, it is best to take control and prepare. And if the preparation are not enough to handle the disaster, then we need to know that there is help available and that like previous disasters, we will get through this one eventually.

Stay prepared, stay alert, stay safe.

Resources: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)