Anxiety group offers tips for healing from trauma
JOBURG - As many South Africans grapple with traumatic events taking place, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) has issued tips on how to deal with trauma.
The group offers advice to those affected by incidents such as rape, car accidents and domestic violence, with Meryl da Costa, public liaison officer at Sadag, explaining the impact of a traumatic experience on individuals.
“A traumatic experience may leave you feeling distressed, and may give you… disturbing feelings. If you have been through such an experience, you may need to seek professional help,” she said.
Da Costa offered tips for dealing with trauma, which include getting counselling, being more involved and communicating with other survivors, joining a support group and asking for support from family and friends.
She added that the organisation will also host an online Facebook chat on 24 April, where psychologists will assist those dealing with trauma.
“Two live chats will take place at 1pm and 7pm with psychologists Mara Zanele and Natasha Botha and psychiatrist Dr Frans Korb and psychologist David Rosenstein respectively,” she said.
Other tips da Costa highlighted include:
- Take some time for yourself
- Talk it over
- Get into a routine, exercise can help with your healing
- Meditate or pray and relax
- Express your feelings as they arise
- Be patient with yourself. Healing can take time.
Details: www.sadag.org or the Sadag Facebook page.
