Day of Remembrance: September 11, 2016

The World Trade Center Health Program provides counseling services to its members, find a clinic here. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency such as persistent thoughts of hurting yourself or others, please call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Source Article: Voices of September 11^th: Healing in the Midst of Remembering: Anniversary Reactions
Author: Priyanka Upadhyaya Psy.D

It's that time of the year again and memories of 9/11 are all around. Sometimes you might find yourself feeling anxious, worried, jittery and/or depressed. And you might even wonder why you are feeling this way.

Know you are not alone. You are probably re-living a traumatic experience because of the time of the year.

During these times, these feelings and reactions can be strong and often 'take you back.' They might begin in the weeks before and intensify as the date nears. They often can last for weeks after the anniversary has passed but they will not last forever.

Here are some of the most effective ways to cope and manage the "anniversary effect."

1. Take care of your body...that's where you might feel your anxiety and depression

Try to sleep regular hours.
Eat a balanced diet - even if you are not hungry, eat a little at each mealtime.
Exercise moderately each day - take a brisk walk.
Meditate - engage in simple breathing exercises.
Create a routine or stick to your schedule

2. Healing Rituals: Coping skills

Acknowledge the date, acknowledge the difference - your experience of these feelings is real.
Engage in healthy distractions like exercise, movies, and games.
Do not choose unhealthy or harmful distractions like overeating or abusing drugs or alcohol.
Create new memories and meanings for the time frame by engaging in new behaviors, ways of thinking and/or feeling. Allow yourself to choose which memories you wish to remember.
Do something fun - It's OK to laugh during difficult and stressful times
Pray or meditate – ideally with positive, nurturing people or community
Seek out religious or spiritual communities
Defer making major life decisions at this time

3. People

Connect with people - family, friends, therapists, and spiritual guides. The right support system can help you cope better during this difficult time.
Don't isolate yourself. Weathering your strong feelings is best done with the support of others.
If you experience overwhelming feelings, professional help is key to the healing process. You don't have to suffer in silence and alone.

How Families and Friends Can Help

Watching your loved one suffer is very hard. You want to help...perhaps even fix the way they feel.

Just know that honoring your loved one's needs is important: Don't tell them to get over it or that they should be "over this by now." What they have been through is real and continues to live on...

Instead ask what you can do to make it easier for them. Sometimes they might need some physical and mental space from you. Other times you can be that person to listen and show caring.

Help them to engage in coping skills or create a healing ritual. Be part of them creating new memories and choices.

Sometimes doing something fun together can take their mind off of their feelings. Watching a funny movie, eating at a favorite restaurant, or any other familiar activity are all ways in which fun can actually be healthy.

There is no right or wrong approach to healing from trauma. Healing takes time, patience and active engagement with the pain.

As a friend or loved one, you can make a difference, even if the difference you make is small. So don't be discouraged. Don't give up...on yourself and them.