1. Coping with a Stressful Event

2. What's Going On?
 There are many events that can be categorised as
stressful.
 Examples of these are being involved in or witnessing an
accident, being a victim of or witnessing abuse or
violence, or losing someone close to you.
 Any stressful event can have an influence on how you
feel emotionally.

3. After a Stressful Event
 It is normal to feel some stress, anxiety, sadness or
to be afraid and it can take time for you to adjust
to a lifestyle you are comfortable with again.

4. If your experience causes you to:
 have flashbacks of the event
 have bad dreams
 lose your appetite
 lack sleep
 become distant from day to
day activities
 you may want to consult
your doctor or a counsellor

5. What Can I Do?
 It is important that you
deal with the feelings
and reactions you are
having so that they
don't become
overwhelming.

6. Here are some tips
that may be helpful

7. Scream!
 One way of letting go
of your feelings is to
Scream
 That all depends on
where you are
 I would go out onto
my balcony and just
scream at the top of
my lungs

8. Draw it!
 This is an another way
of letting go of your
feelings.
 Here you can draw a
picture or image, which
may help to express
what is going on for
you.

9. Keeping a Diary
 It may help to keep a diary where you can write down
your feelings, as well as anything else that you wish to
write about.

10. Talking to Someone
 Sometimes bottling your thoughts inside you can
make the reactions worse.
 It may be helpful to talk to a friend or family member
about the event and what you are feeling.
 It may also be helpful for you to share your feelings
with someone who was involved in the event.

11. Seeking Help
 Your local doctor, clinical psychologist,
counsellor or youth worker will be able to
help you with strategies to cope with your
feelings and reactions.
 If things are really bad then they can give
you medication, which will assist in calming
you.

12. Getting Help
 Your local doctor will
be listed in the white
pages - they can give
you a referral to a
psychologist or a
psychiatrist.