Mental Health experts have urged residents to embrace self-care as discussion, images and videos around the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan could be triggering.
“Hurricane Ivan was indeed an incredibly challenging and emotional time for many in the Cayman Islands and with the 20th anniversary under way it is understandable that some individuals may feel a resurgence of raw emotions during this period,” Dympna Carten, Director of CayMind and Mental Health Emergency Support Team Lead at the National Emergency Operations Centre told the Cayman Compass.
She urged residents who may be feeling a level of anxiety to talk about it.
“Sharing your feelings with friends and family can be very therapeutic, it can provide an opportunity to share experiences and seek support. Recognize the triggers, avoid the ones you can and accept and prepare for those you cannot. It is important to understand that healing takes time and sometimes requires professional help,” she said.
She said stress can manifest in many ways.
“It can also present in a physical way such as headaches, unexplained aches/pain, nausea etc. so check in with [your] primary care doctor if you have any concerns,” she said.
She offered additional tips including:
- Connecting and spending quality time with others: Participating in commemorative
activities can serve as a great reminder of how you coped during and after
Hurricane Ivan and how you have grown your resilience time. Participating in
community events that honor the strength and recovery of the Cayman Islands might provide a sense of solidarity and healing. - Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that you find relaxing and comforting, whether it is reading, exercising, or spending time in nature. Ensure that you are eating and
sleeping well. Avoid excessive use of alcohol or tobacco and avoid illicit drugs. - Stay Informed: Sometimes, understanding more about the event and its impact can
help, but also keep in mind that despite the chaos and the ravages of Hurricane Ivan the Cayman Islands made a remarkable recovery and now with time and experience are
very well prepared and stronger than ever. - Remember, it is okay to seek support and take the time you need to process your
emotions. If in any doubt call CayMind the Mental Health Helpline on 1800 534 6463 Mon -Frid 6pm -ll pm.
Mental health resources
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with issues similar to those raised by this article, there are resources available to help.
- In an emergency, call 911.
- Mental Health Helpline. Call 1-800-534-6463 (MIND) Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, to talk to the Mental Health Helpline, which was established during the pandemic to provide support.
- The Alex Panton Foundation. The non-profit’s primary objective is to raise “awareness of mental illnesses affecting children and young adults in the Cayman Islands with a particular focus on anxiety and depression”.
- Department of Children and Family Services. For non-critical services provided by DCFS, email [email protected] or call 949-0290 in Grand Cayman and 948-2331 in Cayman Brac, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.
- The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre. Provides support to all victims of domestic violence through “services and programmes focusing on domestic and sexual abuse”. Among its services, it provides shelter, counselling, a 24-7 crisis helpline on 943-2422 and a kids’ helpline on 649-5437.
- There are also a number of private health care providers, offering counselling and support, such as Infinite Mind Care and the Wellness Centre.
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