Turks and Caicos Islands
GOVERNMENT

GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - News reports about the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) can cause you to feel anxious and overly worried. These reactions are common, since there are still unknowns about the spread and severity of the illness.   

Here are a few steps you can take, which will help to manage your anxiety and have a positive outlook:

1. Build Resilience : Resilience is the process of being flexible and adapting well in the face of adversity, threats, or significant sources of stress. Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage similar challenges such as the Bird Flu, and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during this time of the H1N1 Flu. 
2. Communicate With Your Children: Discuss H1N1 Flu with honest and age-appropriate information. If your children have concerns, addressing those together may ease their anxiety and distress.  Parents can also relieve distress by focusing children on routines and schedules that remain unchanged despite any changes due to H1N1 Flu preparations. Remember that children will observe adults? behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own emotions during these times.
3. Get The Facts: Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk, so that you can take reasonable precautions. Please read and adhere to the instructions sent out via the radio, cell phones, and emails from the Health Officials.  You can also keep up to date via the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/ Please avoid hear-says and unsupported information, which can be upsetting and may prevent you from taking necessary actions for you and your family. 
4. Have A Plan: Follow the instructions disseminated by Health Officials how to respond if H1N1 Flu were discovered in your area. Also, you may want to stock up on non-perishable foods in case Health officials recommend staying home; you should explore options for working from home, and caring for sick family members, and establish an emergency family communication plan. Explore how you might spend your time if schools or businesses are closed. Working out some of these scenarios in advance can lessen your anxiety.
5. Keep Things In Perspective: Health Officials are prepared for worst-case scenarios in order to protect you the residents, should the need arises. However, you do not need to expect the worst. There are no H1N1 Flu cases identified here in the TCI to date.
6. Maintain A Hopeful Outlook: Our national and counterparts, both regional and international public health agencies have been working together on identifying outbreaks of the illness and to! 2"of"2"ensure the availability of the best medical care to those who may become sick. Limit your worrying and agitation by not watching or not listening to upsetting media coverage.
7. Stay Connected: Maintaining social networks can foster a sense of normality, and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress.  However, if Health Officials have recommended limiting your social contact to contain an outbreak, you can stay connected via e-mail, telephone, text, etc
8. Stay Healthy: A healthy lifestyle is your best defense against any disease threat. You must have proper diet and exercise. Wash and sanitize your hands regularly to minimize your exposure to all types of germs and disease sources. A healthy body can have a positive impact on your thoughts and emotions, enabling you to make better decisions and deal with the H1N1 Flu?s uncertainties.
9. Seek Additional Help: If you have uncontrollable intense feelings of anxiety, or hopelessness, or are having trouble performing your job, or other daily activities, please contact a mental health professional nearest you:

GRAND TURK:
Dr. Patrick E. Prince, Clinical Psychologist
332-1227