Residents Urged to Build Resiliency Skills to Help Cope with Stress, Disasters

WILDWOOD – Did Superstorm Sandy affect you or your family? Was it complicated because you already were feeling stressed?
If so, developing resiliency skills, those skills that allow you to keep on moving forward and rebound from your crises, might be a way to improve your coping skills and lead to a more healthy life.
“When Sandy hit, many people were affected and some people are still hurting,” said Phyllis Kanarkowski, Project Restoring Hope clinician from Cape Counseling Services. “People define life before the storm, and after the storm, because everything changed.
“This could be complicated because Sandy didn’t hit in a vacuum,” she added. “People may have been dealing with marital problems, divorce; care for a special-needs child or an elderly parent. It’s your choice to keep moving forward, though, because you can’t just deal with one problem at a time. These skills can apply to anyone’s life who is dealing with a crisis or stress and anxiety.”
Kanarkowski was in Wildwood July 13 presenting “Building Resiliency Skills after Super Storm Sandy” in a joint workshop with the Cape May County Department of Health. Project Restoring Hope is funded by Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund along with a Super Sandy Block Grant.
Hurricane Sandy, (unofficially known as Superstorm Sandy), was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the second-costliest hurricane in United States history.
It affected 24 states, and damage has been estimated at $65 billion in the U.S. At least 233 people were killed along the path of the storm in eight countries, including 160 in the U.S.
“The storm affected people differently,” Kanarkowski noted. “There were deaths when it started in the Caribbean. Here in Cape May County, some towns saw little damage while others saw a lot of damage. Ocean City, for instance, had two feet of water in the business district; your house may have been fine but your business wasn’t. My husband and I had to evacuate and it was a terrible experience; you didn’t know what you were coming back to.
“People are still dealing with the after-effects,” she added. “They may have had work done improperly, or missed a deadline for filing paperwork. They may still be out of their homes. It’s important for people to be aware of our services in case they need help.”
According to Kanarkowski, resiliency skills can be developed over time, assuming the individual wants to make changes. “Over time, the term resiliency changed in meaning from referring to materials to the ability to overcome challenges,” she said. “I’ve learned working with different clients over the years that some people suffer guilt, some think they could have done more, like veterans.
“The more resilient you feel, the less chance you have of becoming sick because of stress, and the less likely you will feel like a victim,” she added. “You will feel that you can do something about the situation.”
About a half dozen people attended the workshop in Wildwood, the second sponsored by the team. About 20 people attended the previous workshop last month in Ocean City.
Both groups heard about common stress symptoms and warnings, and how resiliency is the ability to change behavioral, cognitive, emotional and physical factors.
“Blockers” to resiliency can include a helpless feeling, guilt, chronic illness, caretaker or other major responsibilities and not wanting to do the work to make the changes. “Resiliency can be developed and strengthened,” Kanarkowski added, “it’s an ongoing process.”
Keys to developing resiliency include a variety of activities as well. “Adjust your attitude and language,” she said. “Attitude is everything. How you perceive something makes a big difference in your attitude. Communicate and connect with others; build a support network so you can help each other at times of need. Cultivate confidence and control, develop a sense of humor. Manage your stress with exercise or taking 10 minutes to watch a sunrise or sunset, walk on the beach, watch the waves. You need to rebalance your stress hormones.
“Practice mindfulness,” she continued, “which means be in the moment. Meditate to relax. Finally, strengthen your spirituality; make sense of the turmoil in your life in whatever way is meaningful for you.” 
As part of the workshop, the county Department of Health provided “resiliency kits” to participants. Megan Birchall, department outreach coordinator, described a list of items people can put together as they start building resiliency skills and prepare for an upcoming crisis.
“A water bottle, first aid kit, glow-sticks to give light, hand warmers, blanket, flashlights, paper and pencil, a whistle,” she said describing the contents of the kits prepared by the department.
“A waterproof case for important documents, a book about resources in Cape May County, a radio to help keep you informed. Even a magnifying glass in case you misplace your reading glasses. You can put these things together now so you have them when you need them,” she said.
“It’s important to let your family, friends and support network know what your emergency plan is. Write down your prescription information and bring it with you; bring your legal papers such as birth certificate and driver’s license,” she continued.  
“Bring a roll of toilet paper,” she noted laughing. “A woman told me this was the most important item in case the shelter where you are going runs out. Put your priceless items such as photos on a computer flash drive. You can always print them out again.”
Workshop participants were encouraged to find the resources they need if they find themselves in a situation such as described.
Cape Counseling Services has been offering a new service for individuals and families experiencing trauma and unmet needs as a result of Sandy in their homes or office setting.
Speakers are also available for information on signs of trauma, coping skills, stress management and community mental health resources. Topics can be added upon request. Anyone interested in more information should contact Kathy Reeves, director of Performance Improvement, Compliance and Disaster Relief Services at 609-778-6119 or email at kreeves@capecounseling.org .
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.