The following information is provided by LifeWorks, the GNWT's Employee and Family Assistance Program provider.

For immediate and confidential assistance, call 1-833-622-1307

You have endured an evacuation of you, your family and co-workers from a very frightening, stressful and distressing situation.

Witnessing events that were beyond your personal control can result in feeling helpless and perhaps powerless. Concern for your security and your family’s future may leave you anxious and uncertain about what will happen next and what measures to take. You may also be anxious and concerned for people who stayed in the evacuated area.

Over the next weeks and months, you may be living in unfamiliar temporary accommodations. You, your family and your co-workers may be affected by immense personal and material losses or considering how to rebuild your lives post-evacuation. You, or others around you, may also experience reactions that seem to come out of nowhere as a result of the situation. These types of reactions and behaviours are normal and are a way of helping to process the anxiety and uncertainty of the present situation. Each of you may be demonstrating how recent events and the evacuation are having a personal emotional impact on you.

The following tips and guidelines are to assist you, your family and your colleagues in coping through the period of uncertainty following an evacuation.

How do I help my family?

It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to cope with the present circumstances. Personal and family routines will assist you and your families in preparing your next steps until you establish housing that is more permanent. Here are some tips to consider:

• Re-establish regular meal and sleeping routines
• Assign chores and household tasks appropriate to the children in your care.
• Don’t overlook children’s feelings. Some children may be clingy, act out or display regressive behaviour. They need to feel they can count on you for extra attention, love and support. Reassure them, making sure they understand they are not responsible for the problems you face
• In an unfamiliar city establish a meeting point in case you are separated from your family or colleagues
• Be aware/ more alert to changes
• Talk to each other/ check-in with each other/ acknowledge each other’s concerns
• Encourage lots of talk and be open to conversation and reflection about what is going on
• Keep family and friends aware of your whereabouts and plans. Whenever possible, let them know when next you expect to contact them.

The emotional strain of going through a period of uncertainty can bring out a number of physical and emotional reactions. These reactions can be uncomfortable, impacting concentration, productivity and focus even disrupting sleep patterns.

Some emotional and physical responses might be:

• Less talkative, distracted
• Increased anxiety
• Increase irritability
• Questioning priorities
• Changes in appetite
• Verbal outbursts
• Heightened sensitivity
• Reluctance to travel
• Nightmares
• Fearful of sudden changes

For each person there is a trigger that reminds us of feelings linked to an emotionally difficult event. It is important to be alert to these triggers and to be aware of what you can do if they happen to you, a co-worker or to a family member. It’s important for you, your family member or co-workers to understand that the reactions displayed are automatic, individual and not predictable in anyway.

As a co-worker what can you do?

• Be extra patient
• Realize that the emotions will roller-coaster and moods can change unexpectedly
• Be present to your colleagues. In an unfamiliar town or setting, familiar faces will be a source of support and comfort
• Communicate. Focus your discussions on information confirmed by reliable sources.

For yourself and other caregivers:

• Make sure that you are talking too/ don’t keep feelings inside
• Eat healthy well balanced meals
• Review your priorities, keeping in mind that your partner’s viewpoint on what should be considered top priority may differ from yours
• Don’t expect things to instantly restore themselves. Accept that restoration, physical and emotional, takes time
• Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption
• If you find yourself being upset or disturbed by the news, limit your exposure by turning off the radio and TV

How do I deal with these reactions?

• Get rest.
• Talk so that you can you share your feelings and reactions to the situation
• Accept support from loved ones, friends and neighbors
• Eat well balance, regular meals and get rest
• Drink lots of water/ avoid alcohol
• Keep a normal (as possible) schedule

How dealing with a natural disaster can affect you

In light of the current situation related to the impact of recent forest fires, many people are feeling anxious and worried about the aftermath of the consequences of this disaster. The impact of this type of environmental disaster tends to result in additional feelings of insecurity and collective vulnerability.

Many people find that other experiences with personal crisis or trauma have helped them develop coping skills which may prove beneficial in managing their reactions to the current situation. Others, however, may find that they are experiencing some of the same reactions but with increased intensity or frequency. This can also be influenced by the degree to which personal safety and security have been threatened by traumatic events in the past.

Disasters have a tendency to bring communities closer together. During these events, people can also value the support of their neighbours, co-workers and emergency personnel.

Some of you may be more affected than others, and for a few, having intense reactions may be a possibility. If you happen to be one of those who is managing well, give yourself credit and remember that your colleagues may still require your support. On the other hand, if you are experiencing more intense reactions, the following information will help you understand and cope with the crisis.

What you may experience

• While most of us are resilient, feeling worried, stressed and anxious are normal reactions during this kind of crisis. Reactions vary from one person to another depending on the personal impact of the event. Here are some common reactions you may experience:

• Feelings of insecurity about the devastating outcome of the forest fires, their direct impact on your family and friends.
• You will likely find yourself focusing on your personal safety and the safety of those you care about. As a result, you may be taking extra precautions, in and outside the workplace, for bothyou, your family, and friends.
• You may feel understandably upset and worried about loss of property and major disruptions to your life.
• You may become more irritable than usual, and find you are having frequent mood swings.
• You might have repeated and vivid memories related to past natural disasters or traumatic events in your life. These may occur for no apparent reason and may lead to physicalreactions such as rapid heartbeat or sweating. You may find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions, or become more easily disoriented.
• You may find yourself questioning the uncertain and unpredictable nature of this crisis. Sleep and eating patterns may be disrupted.
• Some individuals may become withdrawn and isolated and want to avoid their usual activities.
• Symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension and stomach upset often accompany extreme stress.
• On a positive note, you may find yourself developing new connections and relationships, as the community comes together for mutual support.

How long will your reactions last?

• Natural disasters where there is the threat of, or actual physical injury, financial insecurity or significant property loss, may take longer to overcome.
• It is difficult to accurately predict how long your reactions will last. Most people report that intense reactions diminish over time, after the crisis subsides.
• If you are experiencing other emotionally difficult situations, such as serious health problems, family difficulties or other job stress, you may need more time to recover.

Self-care

There are a number of steps you can take to help restore a sense of personal control. Some of the more important ones include the following:

• Seek support from people who care about you and who will listen and empathize with your situation. But keep in mind that your usual support systems may be experiencing some the same strong emotional reactions.
• Communicate your experience in whatever ways feel comfortable to you - such as by talking with family or close friends, or keeping a diary.
• It is important to take good care of yourself by eating healthy foods, resting and sleeping, and listening to your body’s needs. If sleep disturbance continues to be a problem you may be able to find some relief through relaxation techniques and exercise.
• Avoid alcohol or non-prescription drugs.
• Establish or re-establish routines. As much as possible, allow yourself the opportunity for enjoyable activities.
• While, for some, important decisions need to be made during this time, it is better to postpone long-term decisions, where possible, until you are feeling emotionally more settled

Other resources

LifeWorks: the GNWT Employee and Family Assistance Program is a comprehensive wellbeing platform that supports the financial, mental, physical, and social wellbeing of employees.

For immediate and confidential assistance, call 1-833-622-1307

LifeSpeak: a 24/7, total well-being platform where GNWT employees and their families can access expert information, and videos on a wide range of topics when and where they need--completely confidentially.

AbilitiCBT: is an app-based program that delivers interactive, engaging, and convenient Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) delivered by professionally trained therapists through an online platform accessible 24/7 from home or anywhere through your mobile device or tablet.

Community Supports: a listing of emotional and mental health resources available to all NWT residents.

Guided Meditation: In general, and especially in the past few months, it is difficult to control our environment, what goes into our mind, or our heart rate. However, one of the things we can control is our breathing, its rhythm, its depth. Learning to control and slow down our breathing may be a positive solution to managing stress and anxiety, which in turn could have a direct affects on our health. LifeSpeak Breathe can help you learn to control and slow down your breathing, can be a positive solution for managing stress and anxiety, which in turn can have a direct impact on our health. Start now by accessing the short, guided meditations.