International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
By: Chris Holzer, ICISF Member
As spring began to make its appearance blooming across the US in grand display, an uneasiness was growing throughout not only the United States but around the world as news of this strange form of unknown Flu was having a devastating impact. By mid-March life as most of us knew it was completely disrupted by fear and chaos. The unknown and the misinformation was growing at breakneck speed and panic was on the rise as world leaders began using words like Pandemic to describe this new threat to our wellbeing.
Social Media platforms were crowded with information, some true and some highly questionable, mainstream media outlets were on air constantly, “breaking News” banners filled the bottom of our TV screens as the scrolling emergency information came at an extreme rate. This Pandemic was growing and spreading and fear and panic continued to increase to near mass hysteria as people cleared store shelves of every possible product they felt they may need. Talk of lock downs and quarantine’s and shelter in place orders loomed in the midst of the unknown.
COVID-19 consumed every ones minds, for many of us it was playing out like a movie script, this can’t be real, can it? There in was one of the biggest questions that still remains in the minds of a large portion of the world’s population, is this real? Is this really something we should fear and panic over? Or is this some media hype to stir us into crisis? All very valid questions and more than that, very valid emotions and feelings throughout the human race.
I’m writing this from my home in rural Oklahoma, I live outside a small farming community in the country surrounded by wide open spaces and pastures full of cattle or fields full of wheat, immune to the fast paced life of the big city but close enough to venture into the madness when needed for work or provisions. During this time the area in which I live was on a suggested “stay at home” order, especially for the elderly and the immune compromised. My lively hood revolves around auto repair and is seasonal with spring storms so I’m used to sitting idle for periods of time, but unfortunately this time of year is when I am used to coming out of hibernation and hitting the ground running. Instead I find myself sitting on my front porch with time to think, often too much time to think!
I am in ministry and I use my Critical Incident Training acquired through ICISF regularly as I spend a great deal of time working with other ministries who focus on our Nations Wounded Veterans as well as those individuals with Physical challenges or terminal illness. Reboot Recovery is one of those organizations who specifically gears their efforts toward our Veterans as well as our First Responder’s who are struggling with PTSD through a structured course curriculum. Peterson Outdoors Ministries offers multiple outdoor therapy models where we get our participants out into the outdoors through hunting and fishing and family outings, providing a platform of support to the entire family.
As this crisis has evolved, so has the need for intervention and support. I personally have overcome a personal struggle in my past, but as I sat on my porch about a week ago I became overwhelmed with a feeling I had not felt in many years, why? I pondered this as I am in a good place right now, life is balanced and solid yet this overwhelming feeling came rushing in and nearly overtook me. I realized as many of our colleagues in this area of support do, this crisis and chaos is having a devastating impact on everyone, not just those affected by this virus.
I have spent hours on the phone or social media messaging with individuals who normally do not face the struggles our Veterans or First Responders face, I’ve spoke with leaders, pastors, missionaries, and even health care providers who are simply wore down and at wits end carrying the stress and weight of the burden of others.
Part of the ministry I’m involved in offers a retreat setting to our Nation’s Military Chaplains, it is such an intense time serving these hero’s and watching their expressions as they are able to “un-hook” from the burdens of so many others that they carry every day.
I want to encourage you, and for you to encourage others, it is OK to “un-hook” from these burdens in order to breathe, to find our sense of balance once again, to take time to heal.
I had a dear friend tell me following a health issue of my own, if you don’t take care for yourself, you won’t be able to help anyone else!
We will overcome this crisis, time will heal these wounds but there will be many scars left behind. A scar is a memory, it reminds us of the battle, it reminds us of the wounds we incurred in the fight, but often times we all need to be reminded that a scar represents the fact that we overcame our struggle. As we continue this fight to help others through crisis, take the time to look at your scars, not as the memory of your war, but as a memento of your victory!
Chris Holzer, Outdoor Evangelist
Living Loud Outdoors
332321 E 740 Rd
Perkins OK 74059
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