Nafshi: Emotional Resilience during War
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Dear Friends/Family,
As you know these are trying times of war. This group is for tools and tips for emotional resilience during war/trauma from mental health professionals.
Why: Coping with the powerlessness of being under attack
Who: This group is for residents of Israel (or their loved ones abroad)
What: Encouragement, Tools, Tips for building resilience in the face of Trauma
Facilitated by: Rabbi Michael Friedman, M.Ed, B.A., B.T.L., L.P.C., OCD/ERP Specialist
ABC’s of Trauma Coping (intro)
A - All feelings are valid
Unhelpful comments: “Don’t feel scared, or don’t worry.” Encourage children (and adults) that feeling afraid is okay, and everyone feels fear sometimes, that is how Hashem made us. To teach a child not to be afraid is corrosive to their body and soul. It teaches them not to trust their own feelings. This creates inner imbalance. To feel the feelings enhances wellness!
Suggested Responses, vary depending on age and stage of development:
“It’s okay to feel scared.”
“I’m so glad you shared that.”
“I’m here with you.”
“Hashem is always by our side.”
B - Be there for others. Be present, share the burden with those around you, in need. “I am with you. We’re in this together”
C - Create/Construct
Create meaning and rituals, and encourage your family to create something meaningful in times of distress. The purpose is to empower those who feel powerless with an action item. Examples are endless, but include decorating food items, creating art projects, writing letters of support to soldiers, creating games, make a music ritual, play a song, say Tehillim (Psalms) as a family, etc.
D - Daven (Prayer)
There is no substitute for turning to Hashem in our own words, audibly, not thoughts in our minds, but enunciating the words (like Chanah). From a psychology viewpoint this is empowering, allows psycho-emotional processing, and release of stressors in the body