COVID-19: When our resilience is challenged
Resilience. It’s the word we use to describe how people are able to adapt to difficult situations and traumatic events – all those things that can pop up out of nowhere and get in the way of our goals and dreams. Even in normal times, people everywhere have to rely on their resilience on a daily basis, dealing with trauma, health difficulties, financial challenges, or food and shelter insecurity.
Because of the COVID-19 health crisis, we are not in normal times. Individuals and communities are having to rely on their resilience more than ever to get by, dealing with the challenges of more social isolation, more insecurity, and more fear and anxiety.
The good news is: resiliency can be built, grown, and strengthened. It’s not something people have to do on their own. At CUPS, and across organizations throughout Calgary, our goal is to build resilience and create change that can not only help people through this crisis, but that can last beyond and help people come out the other side stronger.
Where do I start?
The COVID-19 crisis has changed a lot about how we manage day to day life right now. Sometimes it can seem like everything is up in the air and uncertain, and that can make it hard to know where to start and what to focus on.
One way of looking at this situation is to focus on our needs in order, starting with the most urgent. If we notice that we are struggling to adapt to the current situation, this particular order may help us to know what to look at first, and what we can do about it.
Physiological needs: Food, water, warmth, rest
For many people, meeting our basic needs can be a challenge, whether there is a health crisis or not. Without being able to eat, sleep, and seek shelter, it can be much more difficult to take care of ourselves and adapt to the situation. If you’re struggling with getting these needs met, this is the best place to start to build resilience for the current crisis.
Alberta 211 has connected with CUPS and other organizations across the city to be a central place for information on how people can get these needs met. Their website, ab.211.ca, has a list of resources including specific links related to homelessness, food/basic needs, and shelter/housing. They can be reached on their website, or by calling or texting 211.
The CUPS Care Coordination team has also been hard at work connecting with our clients by phone, to help answer questions, connect people to housing and food resources, and to manage difficult situations.
Resilience is not about going it alone – there are a number of supports out there to help people get their basic needs met. Sometimes reaching out and asking for help can be a difficult step to take, but it is the kind of step that can make a huge difference in managing a crisis.
Safety needs: Physical and Emotional Security
Just because a person has a place to stay or food to eat doesn’t mean that things are safe. Many people experience violence or trauma at home. Others feel emotionally unsafe because of the huge changes in daily life that they’re experiencing right now.
For people who may be experiencing abuse, there are a number of resources. Calgary 211 has a number of places to turn, whether people are experiencing child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault or abuse, or other physical safety concerns.
Physical security can also mean physical health, which is especially important during a health crisis. AHS has created a site with information on COVID-19, including a tool people can use to assess their own symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms like a fever, a dry cough, or breathing issues, call 811 or take the assessment tool on the AHS website to find out what next steps to take. Many doctors, including the doctors at CUPS, are still seeing their patients, mostly by phone. If you have health issues and you’re not sure what to do, reach out to your doctor, or call Alberta Health Link at 811.
Whether people rely on jobs for financial security, or on assistance programs like AISH or Alberta Works, there can be a lot of confusion and fear during this health crisis. The CUPS Care Coordination team continues to support clients in figuring out their financial situations and how best to access support even with the obstacles created by COVID-19.
Social needs: Friends and Relationships
Connecting with people can be hard at the best of times. In the current health crisis, we actually have to keep our distance from each other more than ever to try to keep our communities safe from infection. That can make it even harder for those who feel isolated or alone.
If this is where you’re struggling the most, know that it’s an important need and it’s ok to try to get creative to figure out ways of connecting with people. Free programs like Zoom and Skype let people chat face-to-face on their phones and computers. Online communities are as active as ever, giving people a chance to interact on message boards and forums. If you’re having trouble accessing the internet, Shaw internet has opened up its Go Wi-Fi hotspots to all users for free. If you’re still having trouble connecting, it can be important to phone or text friends and loved ones, to stay feeling connected.
Sometimes that can be a source of anxiety for people. If you’re feeling extra anxiety or fear, or are struggling with your mental health, there are a number of options available. Calgary 211 remains the central source for up to date information on local resources, and they can connect you to resources for mental health crisis, for general counselling, or for support groups. The CUPS Shared Care Mental Health Team is also continuing to work with their clients, doing phone appointments to make sure our clients have access to support as regularly as we can. As well, CUPS’ Nurturing Parenting classes are resuming via Zoom starting this week.
Resilience in crisis: Adapting now for lasting change
If you’re having a hard time with the current health crisis, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to deal with it alone. By looking at our basic needs, our safety needs, and our social needs, we can figure out how to take care of ourselves, even in a time of uncertainty and insecurity. The steps that we take now to deal with this situation can end up building skills and strengths that will last far beyond the current situation, and can help us be resilient – so we can learn to adapt to anything that comes our way.
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