Crisis Response Support Services

A loss of life is a tragedy to our families, communities, and culture. At the core of our identity is our deep connection to our traditional tribal values that teach us to “Hold Each Other Up.” When tragedy or loss occur unexpectedly in our communities, there is a need for processing grief and other impacts on family, friends, and community. If you have recently experienced tragedy or loss, Tlingit & Haida’s Community & Behavioral Services team is available to provide support to you and your family upon request.

A sudden loss of a loved one can be overwhelming to our hearts and mind and can lead to an unexpected range of experiences for how we feel mentally, how our bodies feel physically, and how we think and behave (see table below for examples). No matter what your range of experiences present, it is important to recognize that your response is normal for an abnormal situation.

Help is available and we want to encourage you to develop a healthy response to this traumatic experience. Here are some ways to help yourself and others:

· Spend time with trusted family, friends and loved ones.

· Encourage and seek professional help if needed.

· Tell someone how you feel about the situation when you are ready.

· Resume routine and structure in your daily life.

· Practice stress management and self-care such as exercising, sharing a meal, visiting, and remembering your loved one.

To schedule support for a crisis response debriefing session with your family or an individual counseling session, please call 907.463.7166.

If you are in a crisis situation and need immediate help, call 911 or the Alaska Careline at 1.877.266.4357.