Iran War, Petrol Crisis Causing Increased Stress Among Kiwis

Penny
Smith, Reporter

Psychologists say their
clients are reporting increased stress and vicarious trauma
because of the
Iran war.

Psychologist Dougal Sutherland said
issues like the war and the price of petrol were adding to
his clients’ existing anxieties.

”If you’re stressed
out about things in life, then this feels like an additional
burden, and has possibly a cumulative effect on people’s
stress levels and wellbeing,” he said.

New Zealand
Psychological Society president Dr Rebecca Wirihana said its
members reported an increase in people seeking mental health
support, especially from members of diaspora communities
affected by the conflict.

”We are seeing cases of
vicarious trauma… for whānau who are impacted here, who
are experiencing trauma in the context of their own families
on their own whenua from a distance,” she said.

“What
often happens in those situations is that people experience
symptoms of trauma, without actually having experienced the
trauma directly. That doesn’t mean it’s any less impactful,
and it has been reportedly and significantly distressing for
some of our communities.”

Sutherland said technology
could make the world seem smaller.

“We can be
personally impacted now by events that seem very far away
geographically,” he said. “One of the downsides of living in
a hyper-connected world is that we can be highly influenced
by events that are on the other side of the world, but they
do have a pretty direct impact on us.

“We’re in this
hyper-connected world, where it’s easier for us to see
things, whether it’s on social media or on the
news.”

Lifeline reported no specific increase in calls
relating solely to the Iran War, but the topic was coming up
more in callers’ conversations.

Samaritans New Zealand
chair Greg Dearsly said its callers were often already
anxious or depressed.

”Circumstances that are beyond
their control can serve to increase that anxiety,” he said.
“For people who have got anxiety, if you’ve got stuff that
is high profile in the media, then that’s just a trigger for
increasing their anxiety or depression.”

Sutherland
said worrying too much about war, government policies and
fuel prices could waste people’s mental energy.

“It’s
good to sit down and actually spend 20-30 minutes focusing
on a thing that is worrying you, and list out, ‘What are the
things that are of concern to me, and then what are the
things I can influence and what are the things I can
control?’

“You almost get a shopping list around what
components of this can you exert any control over at all,”
he said.

“Just being able to do that can help give
people back a sense of control, which then flows down to
having a little less anxiety.”

Where to get
help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time
to speak to a trained counsellor, for any
reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to
4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508
TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be
thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about
family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757
(24/7) or text 4202

Samaritans: 0800 726 666
(24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234
(8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz|

What’s Up:
free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat
11am-10.30pm 7 days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800
9428 787 11am-11pm

Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342
Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am
– 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean,
Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and
English.

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787
254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: (09)
376 4155\

OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)

If it
is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at
risk, call
111.

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