inside WSU

Where to turn for help

In the wake of a disastrous event like the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, it’s normal for people to be a bit depressed or have difficulty sleeping or concentrating and other such symptoms of stress.

Talking to friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members can help as you cope with such reactions, say two WSU psychologists. But if you need professional help, there are plenty of resources at WSU to turn to.

• The Counseling and Testing Center, 978-3440, offers individual, family and group counseling. The initial session is free and follow-up sessions are $5 each.

• The WSU Psychology Clinic, staffed by psychology faculty and doctoral students in clinical psychology, also provides mental health services. Call 978-3212. Fees are charged on a sliding scale.

• The Self-Help Network, 978-3843, can make referrals to grief support groups. Sometimes disasters can trigger grieving symptoms.

• LifeLine, the state of Kansas employee assistance program, provides free and confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Contact the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-284-7575.

• The Office of Human Resources Employee Assistance Program can also make referrals to a variety of university and community resources. Contact David Strange, 978-6166, for information.

When President Bush addressed the nation Sept. 20, he said, "I ask you to live your lives and hug your children."

It’s a simple expectation in the aftermath of terrorist attacks that have affected Americans and others in such magnitude.

"I don’t want to minimize (the reaction to the attacks), but yes, we experience the shock, we feel a whole range of things, but then ideally you start replacing that with your more typical routine and you start piecing your life back together," says Greg Buell, associate director of WSU’s Counseling and Testing Center.

"Do hug your kids and talk about what’s going on – the incidents, the aftermath and what’s likely to come – but remember to talk about it on a word level and a concept level that your kids can understand," says psychology professor Jim Snyder, who specializes in child psychology.

A survey by the Pew Research Center shows nearly three-quarters of Americans have felt depressed over the terrorist attacks, nearly half have had difficulty concentrating, and one-third are having trouble sleeping.

Those kinds of reactions, Buell says, are normal. They are typical symptoms of stress.

A disaster such as the attacks can also trigger grief responses for loved ones lost in the past, says Shelly Tiemeyer with WSU’s Self-Help Network.

"Talk to colleagues, talk to other people, share what’s happening to you," Buell says. "Don’t be afraid to listen to people."

With children, parents need to continue to talk and listen, as well, Snyder says.

"This isn’t something you sit down and talk about at one time," Snyder says. "As awful and as evil as this thing was, adults can use this as an opportunity to help their kids learn. It’s not just about making sure they’re safe and not upset, but ask them ‘how do you think about good and bad? How do you respond when something bad happens to you?’"

With teen-agers, conversations may be a bit more complex as they are forming thoughts and theories about the world.

Parents should also manage their children’s exposure to media coverage of the events, Snyder says.

The country will continue to feel residual results from the attacks – everything from the talk of war to job layoffs. If you have a tendency to think the worst, this situation will present plenty of opportunities, says Buell.

"But going through the list of what ifs is the last thing that is helpful at this time," he says. Stay focused on your responsibilities, your relationships and pay attention to such rudimentary routines as eating well and getting exercise and enough sleep.

In a way, the attacks can serve as a reminder about how to live our lives, Snyder says.

"Yeah, we can raise flags and send teddy bears, but let’s think about how we can be kinder, more caring and more compassionate in our day-to-day lives."