ForEachOther

A Repository & 

Support Community

Founded on the 25th of February, 2022

About this Project

Given the recent political crisis situation in Europe, it is likely that in the foreseeable future the community of helping professions will be called upon to assist and help those whose lives are affected by the challenges of living in times of war and unrest. 

There will be much need for healing, consolation, compassion - and our initiative was founded to support helping professionals with source material on evidence-based interventions and support programs for those in need. 

If you scroll down, you'll also find a (growing) self-help section with valuable mental health and psychological advice on coping with disaster and crisis situations, incl. war and displacement.

[In case of emergencies, please see the International Directory of Emergency and Suicide Hotlines]

 This independent, non-partisan, non-denominational, and non-ideological project was initiated by psychotherapists, psychologists, and counselors, many of them affiliated with or trained in Viktor Frankl's logotherapy and existential analysis. 

Our community project consists of a repository of resources and information for helping professionals on how to best help those who are directly or indirectly affected by current political and social events. 

Everyone is welcome here. 

Repository of Self-Help Resources

Tips for Coping

Talk about it. By talking with others, you can relieve stress and realize that others share your feelings.

Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and exercise, avoid excessive drinking and eat properly. Avoid foods that are high in calories and fat.

Limit exposure to images of the war. Especially avoid television news programs.

Do something positive. Give blood, prepare “care packages” for people in the military, write letters to servicemen and women. Whether you support or oppose the war, write letters to elected officials, take part in community meetings, etc.

Ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Talk with a trusted relative, friend, psychotherapist, or spiritual advisor.

Source: The National Mental Health Association

Articles and Resources

When Terrible Things Happen (Handouts for Survivors)

Developed by the National Center for PTSD (USA) and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, this is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress and to foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning. 

I’m at School, My Friend’s at War (David Onestak, Ph.D.)

This text was written by David Onestak on the eve of the US military operation in Iraq. As the US approached what seemed to be an almost certain conflict with Iraq, an increasing number of students approached him with their concerns about high school and college friends who have been (or may soon be) deployed for military service. These students, like the young adults of previous war-time generations, express feelings commonly associated with the trauma of military deployment (e.g., fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, etc.), with particular apprehension about what they will experience if actual combat occurs.

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health after a Disaster (Red Cross FactSheet)

General easy-access advice on emotional and mental health in the wake of a disaster

Disaster Planning Tips for Older Adults and their Families (WF Benson) 

Disaster planning, preparedness and mental health coping tips, written by WF Benson, CDC Healthy Aging Program Health Benefits ABCs 

Coping when a Family Member Goes to War (National Center for PTSD)

When a family member goes to war, the impact on those left at home can be challenging. 
Support from others is important. Spend time with people. Coping with stressful events is easier when in the company of caring friends. Ask for support from your family, friends, church, or other community group. Peer-support groups, led by spouses of deployed Service members, can be helpful. 

 Tips for Talking to Children After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) 

 Traumatic events, such as shootings, bombings, or other violent acts, can leave children feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Whether a child has personally experienced trauma, has seen the event on television, or has merely heard it discussed by adults, it is important for parents and educators to be informed and ready to help if stress reactions begin to occur. 

 Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do (National Institute of Mental Health)  

Each year, children experience violence and disaster and face other traumas. Young people are injured, they see others harmed by violence, they suffer sexual abuse, and they lose loved ones or witness other tragic and shocking events. Parents and caregivers can help children overcome these experiences and start the process of recovery. 

Coping With Terrorism and War (Mark Dombeck, Ph.D.) 

This article was originally written in response to the attacks on September 11th, 2001.  However, the feelings described and the stages of grief, anger, and resolution remain true today regardless of the actual event that be responding to whether it is a recent plane downing, migrant and asylum-seeking refugees leaving their homes and horrible circumstances around the world, or a recent terrorist group claming a horrible bombing or other attack. 

Let's cope together (Voimaperheet research group, University of Turku)

Разом Впораемось (Ukrainian version)

Вместе мы справимся (Russian version)

The Let's cope together programme offers scientifically proven, simple and effective methods for parents with children of all ages to support their children when they are feeling anxious or scared.