How to take care of your mental health now if you have family in the Middle East or another conflict zone

Escalation of violence in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon in recent weeks he brought news about death, casualties and displacement.

The Australian government organized in response evacuation flights for Australian residents and it’s insistence for all Australians in Lebanon to profit from the earliest available flights due to the unpredictable nature of the conflict.

For greater than 248,000 Australians due to my Lebanese origins and others, it was a really depressing time.

This can also be the case with the escalation of violence in Lebanon it sounded deep with other diasporas in Australia, similar to those from Palestine and Ukraine. These scattered communities share similar experiences of conflict and displacement.

So how do Australians with ties to Lebanon, Gaza or other conflict zones take care of their mental health today? And how can you support others who could also be struggling?

Identification with pain and suffering

People with emotional ties to conflict zones abroad discover with the pain and suffering they see and listen to. Australians who share a typical cultural heritage may live in the shadow of events back home and experience what research called “push-pull” dynamics.

This can mean periods of peace and ease mixed with periods of intense fear, uncertainty and emotional pain as unpleasant events unfold.

For some, insomnia, irritability, fear, frustration, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion mix. People are not any longer isolated from their country of origin. Rather, global events impact their personal and social lives and mental health.

The way people in Australia address the interplay between events at home, feelings of powerlessness and mental health is complex. It’s easy to quickly absorb what is going on on. The events are graphic, fascinating and fast-moving.

How to take care of yourself

So what can you do if you notice that the problem affects you or someone close to you?

Get to know your stress triggers. For some, it could be witnessing violence on television news or social media. For others, it could be stories about children and young individuals who have been murdered. Seeing and hearing images and stories will be disturbing if they’re repeated across multiple platforms. Some people might have this minimize their exposure in the media.

Talk to people you trust about how you feel. Describe what is going on and what you have noticed about yourself. If you feel fragile or are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, please reach out to your doctor for support.

Reconnect and strengthen your personal support networks. Supportive cultural connections and family members, in addition to other forms of support, including friends and colleagues, can protect against the onset or worsening of mental disorders.

Getting help early can provide you with more support options. It may make it easier to accept help in the future.

Refer to trusted sources of information and adjust your media exposure. While many individuals should learn about the events, the news reports and pictures are disturbing.

Switch on activity that can comfort you and distract you and make your situation safer. This may include:

• spending time with family members or friends

• spiritual, faith or religious reconnection

• distraction through music or food.

Avoid taking your devices to bed to protect your sleep and mental health.

How to support others

If you work with or support someone affected by this condition, please do not forget that it is a time of sensitivity and compassion. Show that you are concerned and at the same time check that the whole lot is OK. Ask:

What can be most helpful in our support to you?

What is the best way for me/the team at work to support you and be there for you?

It can also be essential to ask about the person’s mental health. You can ask:

As events unfold, how do you feel at home now?

When assessing an individual’s experience, do not forget that it just isn’t at all times essential to know personal details or circumstances in detail. It is very important to show real interest, construct trust and psychological safety. Aim at really listenas a substitute of listening to give you the chance to respond.

As a friend, colleague or manager, offering support and listening without judgment will help person under the influence of global disasters.

In times like these, validation, human connection and support are some of the best things you can do to protect your and others’ mental health.