IN THE EVENT OF A GENUINE ALERT – INFORMATION ON CIVIL DEFENSE FOR THE FAMILY

How to cope with anxiety and tension in times of emergency

A state of emergency is a situation of great uncertainty, and it causes changes and disruption to our daily routine. Our emotional and behavioral responses during a state of emergency vary in degree from person to person, but are essentially similar in nature. They include common physical reactions such as fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and so on, as well as emotional reactions such as fear and anxiety, sadness, depression, lack of concentration etc. It is important to know that these are normal responses to an abnormal situation.

What can we do today to be prepared and make it easier to cope in possible states of emergency?

The principle is simple: the more we know about states of emergency and ways of protecting ourselves, the better we will function and believe in our ability and the ability of our loved ones to deal with the situation. It is important to think ahead about the possible problems and difficulties that could arise during an emergency and try to find solutions ahead of time. If we are prepared in our minds, the situation will seem more familiar and we will not be taken by surprise. Furthermore, when a problem arises we will remember that we have already thought of a possible solution and we will not become unnecessarily stressed.

Below are a number of rules that will help in coping effectively with states of emergency:

1. It is important to carry out all the preparations as instructed by the qualified authorities ( the IDF / Home Front Command, the local authority etc.)

2. Practice the different methods of protection with members of your family, such as what each person should do when there is an attack. Practicing these actions will increase your self- confidence and prove that it is possible to cope with the situation.

3. Express your feelings - the ability to express our feelings is a sign of strength and not weakness. Look for opportunities to tell others what you are experiencing and how you are coping with it.

4. Consider who among your neighbors might need assistance and do not hesitate to offer help or accept help from others.

5. Take care of yourselves and take into account your own need for rest, sleep and time with your nearest and dearest.

6. Try, as far as possible, to organize a regular routine for yourself and your family. The protected space is liable to be boring and stressful, but if you bring in games and objects that the children are fond of, and periodically vary the selection, time will pass more easily.

7. Watch out for unusual behavior. Unusual and extreme behavior, such as excessive crying, exaggerated laughter, extended silence and introversion, or unusual talkativeness, are signs of anxiety! Ask for professional help if this behavior continues over time. You can contact the call center of your local authority, who will refer you to the appropriate person.

8. Think about reinforcing faith in general, and especially belief in our ability to get out of the situation, despite everything. Remember all the things you have done in the past that have helped you to pull through and feel better.

Many parents are anxious about the way their children will react to a state of emergency, and wonder how to help them. We do indeed often see changes and even regression in our children ’s behavior in times of emergency. It is important to know that in most cases these are normal responses to an abnormal situation.

Characteristic reactions of children

Age 0 - 2

Babies are not able to talk and express their feelings. At the same time, they are able to absorb and remember impressions from periods of stress. Babies may be more irritable, crying more and demanding hugs and love.

Response: Babies usually respond well to devoted care and a lot of love.

Age 3 - 5

In many cases children of this age will feel helpless and insecure. At this age, children do not have the cognitive and verbal ability to cope with the situation properly. They are very sensitive to their parents ’ reactions. .

Characteristic behavior: Bedwetting, fear of the dark, nightmares and attachment to their parents, stuttering, loss of appetite, fear of being left alone, confusion.

Response: Encourage them to express their feelings through play, offer physical and verbal support, pay them a great deal of attention and, if necessary, let them sleep in your bedroom.

Age 6 - 11

At this age children are capable of understanding the meaning of significant changes in life such as loss and bereavement. Fear and anxiety are commonly seen. Some children may invent imaginary fears, which appear to be unconnected to the situation. Others may express their desire to be involved in the most minute details of the situation.

Characteristic behavior: Thumb- sucking, irritability, dependence, regression, fear of the dark, avoiding school or friends, headaches etc.

Response: A great deal of patience, playing games with parents and friends, conversations with parents and friends, an orderly daily routine, practicing means of self- protection, a certain reduction in demands. Give them responsibility and a role to play in the way the family copes with the situation.

Age 12 - 14

Children of this age attribute great importance to the way their friends react. They need to know that their fears are appropriate and are also felt by their friends. At this age the accent should be on reducing stress, anxiety and guilt.

Characteristic behavior: Sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, rebelliousness, problems in school, physical pains, unwillingness to be with friends.

Response: It is important to encourage them to take part in social activities with other

children of their age, to talk about the situation with their friends and to practice ways of protecting themselves. Establish a daily routine of things that need to be done, and allow for a certain reduction in demands. Give them responsibility and a role to play in the way the family copes with the situation.

Age 15 - 18

A state of emergency is liable to prompt fears of injury to the family and to the child himself. The need for family unity conflicts with the natural tendency towards increasing independence. Reactions at this age will usually be similar to those of adults, but sometimes young people will find it hard to express their feelings in the presence of their parents.

Characteristic behavior: Headaches, depression, loss of concentration, apathy, risk- taking, regression, deteriorating achievements, fewer arguments with parents.

Response: Encourage participation in community volunteer activities, encourage social activities and discussing the situation with friends, reduce expectations. Encourage ( but do not demand) discussion of the situation within the family. Give them responsibility and a role to play in the way the family copes with the situation.

General principles for dealing with children in a state of emergency

1. As far as possible, prepare your children for what to expect during the state of emergency. Practice using the protective devices, and give them a role to play that is appropriate to their age. Prepare a “family emergency plan ” including what to do when the siren is sounded, how to get help if necessary, how to make contact with members of the family, allocation of roles among the family, etc.

2. As far as possible, maintain a daily routine.

3. During times of emergency, your children have special needs. Allow them to be more dependent if that is what they need in order to feel secure.

4. Limit the degree to which your children - especially the younger ones - are exposed to the grueling scenes shown in the media.

5. Children express their feelings in different ways. Accept this difference and know how to respond accordingly. Give your children warmth and calm their fears, but do not dismiss their feelings. The important message to convey is that “together, we will overcome.”

6. Talk to your children about what is going on. Listen to their feelings, give direct explanations and brief and genuine answers to their specific questions. Use words and concepts from their world that they will understand. It is important to reinforce their sense of capability and give them positive reinforcement.

7. Create opportunities for your children to spend time and talk with other children of their age.

8. It is important to know that your behavior and reactions during the event have a considerable effect on your children. In most cases, children will return to their normal behavior within a few weeks after the state of emergency is over.

If you observe very unusual behavior in your children during or after an event, ask for the professional help which is available in all local authorities.

Every family should prepare a family emergency plan to deal with different eventualities, taking into account its own particular situation.

What should be included in the family emergency plan?

Be familiar with possible states of emergency and the dangers that are involved.

Talk to the members of your family about these situations and how to act in each kind of situation.

Familiarize yourself with the order of actions to be taken if one of these emergency situations occurs, and teach your family what to do.

Define and allocate tasks for each member of the family - making sure that each person ’s task is suited to their abilities.

It is important for members of the family to know where each item of the family emergency equipment is stored. Decide who is responsible for organizing the equipment and keeping it in good order.

Familiarize yourself and teach your children where the gas and electricity points are in your home, in what circumstances they should be turned off, and how to do it.

Make a list of telephone numbers of the emergency organizations, the local authority and other relevant bodies in your area. It is important to teach your children whom to call and when.

Write down in a conspicuous place how to get in touch with each member of the family, in case it is urgently necessary to make contact.

Decide which neighbors and/ or other people should be contacted in the event that it is not possible to make contact with the nuclear family.

Decide on the safest way out in case it is necessary to evacuate the house immediately.

Agree on a meeting place for members of the family in the event of such an emergency arising when the family is not together. It is worth choosing one meeting place close to home and a second meeting place outside the neighborhood.

It is of the greatest importance for neighbors to cooperate and help each other. These situations should be discussed with your neighbors and a plan of action agreed upon.

Finally, you must practice your family emergency plan! From time to time it is worth refreshing the memory of all members of the family regarding details of the plan.