1. Be a good neighbor. A quick text to those who are in high risk groups offering to make grocery and pharmacy runs is a solid move. It can be hard to ask for help and this offer not only relieves anxiety about getting needs met, it also reminds them that they are not alone.
2. If you work with children in out of home placements, be mindful how scary this time is for them. Extra phone calls, texts, and care packages can go a long way. These children have experienced great loss and trauma, the fear expressed (verbally and non-verbally) by the adults around them may serve as a trauma reminder for them. They also live with anxiety about adults leaving them. If they have the consistency of a foster parent, that is wonderful. But they may need reassurances that this caregiver is not leaving. If they have had frequent placement moves, you may be the most consistent person in their world. If you are not able to physically visit them right now, make sure to keep reminding them that you are there. Phone calls are great, but advocate for FaceTime, Zoom or Skype as well. Seeing your face will be reassuring to them. Be mindful that routine is very important to children in out of home placement and their routine has been seriously disrupted, work with their foster parents to prepare them for behavior that may manifest and strain the household so that they are better able to weather the storm.
If you work with children in group homes or residential placement, staying in close contact is even more important. They may have visitors limited. They may also have news and information limited. If visitors are limited, remind them frequently why this is. They may feel like they have been left. Children who have experienced trauma can be hypervigilent and it can be really frightening to sense something is wrong, but not know what it is. Their minds will be stressed trying to figure out what is happening. What I learned working in a residential treatment center during Sept 11th is that these facilities will try to limit information to protect children, but the staff WILL be talking about what is happening, and the children WILL be listening. If you are able to give them basic, age appropriate, updates, please do. These children will likely have even more disruptions in care as their staff are absent due to illness, and for caregiving needs. This may disrupt their progress, result in behavioral outbursts, and bring up fears of abandonment. Be present (even if that is by phone, video, or mail), be reassuring, be patient.
Just like you, these children will be worried about their family members. Even if they have been separated from parents, siblings, and extended family for a significant period if time. They have history and emotional connections to these people, and to the idea of family. They will be worried and they may have very limited to no information on how these people are doing. Allow them space to talk about their concerns and respect that these are significant for them.
Remember they are afraid and anxious. Be patient with the many ways this may be reflected in their behavior.
3. If you work with older adults in skilled nursing facilities, in addition to accurate information, provide fun diversions. These clients are in the vulnerable group and they have a lot to be anxious about. They also need a break from the mental strain of watching the news and talking about health fears. Provide accurate information about visitation policies and restrictions, cleaning measures in the facility, and empower them with concrete ways they can protect themselves (this information is readily available from the CDC). If they are not tech savvy, help them connect with family through Facetime, Zoom, and Skype. If they have a favorite hobby, make sure plenty of supplies are on hand during this time so that they can remain safe and avoid boredom.
4. If you work with populations who are in criminal justice settings like jails and prisons, provide them accurate updates. Let them know about visitation restrictions, and updates to policy. They may not understand why family, friends, and legal staff are not visiting.
5. If you work with 12-step recovery, provide information on how to access online and phone meetings. These are available for most fellowships including AA and Alanon. Remind them that they can also utilize Zoom, Google hangouts, or Skype to facilitate a meeting with their home group as well. Prompt them to make sure they are staying connected to their sponsor.
6. If you are an educator, stay in touch with your students. The administrators at your campuses are working hard to adapt to a quickly moving situation. They are communicating information as they get it. They are also in a LOT of meetings as they try to support their campuses. Use the personal connection you have with your students, to ease some of their anxiety. Check in with them. Share information, and just remind them you are there. Be patient with the administrators who are on your campus as they work through changing information and uncertainty. Be patient with your colleagues and your students as well. Those who have been using online modalities for a long time can be a great support to those who are adapting just now. Give grace when things are not moving as well or as fast as you would like.
7. Take a break. If you are not able to turn your phone off because you are a point person during emergencies, hand it over to someone you trust for 2 hours and they can alert you to any texts or calls. I made a point last night of handing my phone for 2 hours to make dinner, enjoy dinner, and watch something not news related. You are supporting a lot of people and you need to make sure to take breaks, breathe, and take care of you as well.
