Community Emergency Response Team

At the Aug. 25 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) meeting, Catherine O’Brien CERT president and college therapist,explained how one could cope with and recover from setbacks.

Setbacks like the earthquake disaster in Maui or the loss of a spouse can send a person’s physical, mental and emotional situation into chaos. O’Brien said, “Resilience is knowing how to get out of disaster chaos through interventions and new habits.”

One intervention a person can do is naming the physical, emotional or mental problem to get out of it. Resting, writing down thoughts and eating well can also help.

Connecting with another person can be helpful. As a friend, it can be helpful just be there and empathize with the difficulty, or offer to help.

O’Brien’s also advised know- ing neighbors, keeping a File of Life on the fridge and devices charged.

The next meeting on Sept. 22 will focus on “Safety at Home.”