Crisis Event Wellbeing Toolkit

 In the early hours and days following a crisis, it’s important to take steps that help stabilize emotional distress. Begin by ensuring safety, create an environment that feels physically and emotionally secure for yourself and those around you. Offer comfort by being a calm, supportive presence; you don’t need to solve anything, just listen and be there. Validate the emotions that arise, whether it’s grief, fear, anger, or numbness, and allow people to express themselves without judgment. Most importantly, provide reassurance. Simple words like, “You are not alone. We will get through this together,” can offer a powerful sense of hope and connection during overwhelming times. 

 ShareTree's LIFT (Listen, Invite, Facilitate, and Trust) program is a mental health and well-being framework focused on fostering emotional and psychological safety. It aims to equip individuals with skills to support themselves and others during times of distress, promoting proactive mental health management and early intervention. Here's a breakdown:

• Listen: Actively listening and creating a safe space for others to share their experiences. 
• Invite: Encouraging individuals to seek support and resources when needed. 
• Facilitate: Guiding individuals towards appropriate professional help and resources. 
• Trust: Building strong, supportive relationships based on empathy and understanding. 

 Grief is not a linear process, and there is no “right” way to experience it. Some may cry or talk openly, while others may choose silence, each response is valid. It's important to avoid total isolation, but also to honor your own pace as you heal. Grief can bring a wide range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and numbness, all of which are normal. To support emotional healing, try some of our tools.

Organize peer support groups or healing circles. Create safe spaces for storytelling, art, or prayer. Connect people to mental health professionals or first responders. Share the Aspire Health Toolkit.  Consider joining or hosting a Mental Health First Responder Training.

 In times of crisis or healing, inspiring hope and tapping into inner strength can be a powerful part of recovery. Simple daily affirmations can help reframe your mindset and restore emotional balance. Remind yourself: I am not alone. Each breath is a new beginning. I allow myself to heal at my own pace. This pain will not define me. These thoughts, though small, can offer grounding and courage when things feel uncertain. Building long-term resilience also requires consistent self-care. Try to maintain gentle daily routines, stay connected with supportive people or nature, and recognize small moments of peace or progress, these are all signs of strength. And when the weight feels too heavy to carry alone, seeking therapy or professional support is not a weakness but a brave and healthy step forward. 

One of the most meaningful ways to respond to a crisis is by helping others through donations. Your support can provide essential resources such as shelter, food, clean water, medical care, and mental health services to individuals and families affected by natural disasters, violence, or conflict. Trusted organizations like the American Red Cross, UNICEF, the International Rescue Committee, World Central Kitchen, and GiveDirectly are actively working on the ground to deliver emergency relief and long-term support. If you’d like to make an impact in the area of emotional recovery and trauma healing, you can also donate to Aspira Health Global, where your contribution helps us provide mental health toolkits, crisis responder training, and trauma-informed care to underserved communities across the globe. Every donation, big or small can bring hope and healing to someone facing unimaginable hardship.