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How to prepare yourself mentally for crises

If you think in advance about how you will feel and what you will do in a crisis situation, you can avoid being overwhelmed and you will make better decisions.

Two people go for a walk.
Photo: Johner

Think about a serious situation you have been in in the past. For example, illness or death in the family, an accident or a serious incident in society. How did you react then? You'll probably react the same way next time.

Think about what you think you will feel, how you will think and what you will do in different situations.

Talk to someone about how you will react and what you will do in a crisis. You can talk to someone you live with, friends, family, neighbors or colleagues.

Read also: Shared self-preparedness

Follow the practical advice for good self-preparedness. If you are practically prepared for a crisis, you are also better mentally prepared.

Lack of information, or incorrect information, can make you feel insecure in a crisis situation. Therefore, you should think about where you will look for information in a crisis. Use the websites of the municipality in which you live, the websites of national authorities, radio channels, TV channels and newspapers. The radio channel NRK P1 is the channel that the authorities use first to provide information when it is urgent.

Read also: Information and communication in crises

Take care of your mental health on a daily basis – you can find advice on this at Helsenorge (norwegian). 

The advice on mental preparedness for crises and serious incidents has been given by the Norwegian Directorate of Health.