Sometimes it is difficult to know how to respond when truly bad things happen. Our initial impulse is to try to quickly move forward, or engage others in cheerleading about how strong they are. And, while those impulses can be understandable, expanding our toolkit for helping others through hard times can helpful.
This was the focus of a recent article by Clinical Psychologist Chris Mosunic, PhD, writing about how to emotionally support people impacted by the wildfires out west. He shared that “finding the right words to say after a natural disaster can be tough.” He feels that, with practice, we can “explore thoughtful ways to communicate and offer support to loved ones when it’s needed most.”
You can read the full article at https://blog.calm.com/blog/comforting-words-during-a-natural-disaster, and below are some examples he gives of how your words can make a difference, plus a couple examples of what to say:
Provide stability: Simple, kind words create a sense of connection and reassurance in uncertain times.
Validate emotions: When you acknowledge someone’s pain, it can help to say something like, “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.” This can help them feel seen and understood.
Ease loneliness: Supportive messages like, “You’re not alone. We are going to get through this together.” This can remind them that they have people who care about them in their lives.
Offer hope: Sharing encouragement can help someone feel that recovery is possible, even when things seem overwhelming and feel hopeless.
Guide toward resources: Suggesting shelters, food banks, or counseling services can help them navigate the recovery process. You can also help them with calling insurance companies or contractors and even offer hands-on support, too.