From earthquakes to wildfires to extreme winter storms to power outages, Alaska is no stranger to severe and unpredictable natural disasters. Many of us feel anxious and overwhelmed when faced with events beyond our control. But preparing in advance for potential emergencies can give us peace of mind and a sense of security.

Emergency preparedness is crucial, especially for events like earthquakes and power outages, which are sudden and can leave us without essential services. Start by creating a family emergency plan so that each person knows their role, responsibilities, and where to meet if an emergency occurs. Determine an evacuation route and practice it occasionally to ensure everyone feels comfortable and prepared. Along with this, assemble a disaster preparedness kit with essentials such as food, water, prescription medications, blankets, a whistle, a multi-tool, and first aid kid. For power outages, keep extra batteries, a portable phone charger, and, if possible, a backup power source for critical electronics, particularly for anyone relying on medical or assistive devices. Make sure your home and workplace are equipped with working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.

Staying informed can also help alleviate stress. Sign up for local emergency alerts, follow trusted news sources, and check weather updates to stay aware of any developing situations. Practicing self-care is also important. Regular exercise, mindfulness, and adequate rest contribute to a calm and resilient mindset. Connecting with friends and family can provide mutual support.

Taking proactive steps to prepare for potential emergencies now will help ease anxiety and allow us to respond to any unknown challenges safely and strategically.

Items to put in your emergency preparedness kit:

• Water (minimum of one gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable food
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Portable phone chargers
• Whistle
• Dust mask and gloves
• Emergency blanket
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
• Copies of important documents (in a waterproof container)

Situational anxiety is a common response to unfamiliar, worrisome, or stressful events, such as job interviews, public speaking, social conflicts, and major life changes. It's normal to feel a minor fight-or-flight response when faced with situations where we feel a lack of control. Fortunately, there are many effective strategies you can use to manage and reduce the impact of situational anxiety.

Anxiety has a tendency to magnify the fear of negative outcomes. When you picture the worst-case scenario and considering its true likelihood, you may find that even at its worst, there is hope for a good long-term outcome. Connecting with someone supportive and like-minded can also provide comfort and clarity, and reduce feelings of isolation or fear. For situations that cause heightened nervousness, such as giving a speech or presentation, do several practice runs to help build confidence. Rehearsing and preparing in advance will remove some of the uncertainty and give you more of a sense of control. Stress management techniques are also a powerful tool to calm situational anxiety. Deep abdominal or meditative breathing can trigger your body’s relaxation response almost instantly. Focus on slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system and help you regain control over your emotions. Lastly, not all stress is harmful, and in fact, some level of anxiety can be motivating. Instead of viewing healthy levels of stress as something to avoid, try to reframe it in a positive light and harness its power to help you perform well in challenging situations.

Situational anxiety is a normal part of life, but implementing these strategies will help you reduce its negative effects and face challenging circumstances with calmness and confidence. When left unchecked, however, anxiety can intensify to the point that it affects both your mental and physical well-being. If you feel a persistent cycle of anxiety that is not tied to one event or environment, or if at any time you find that your feelings of anxiety are too much to handle on your own, reach out to your primary care provider or a mental health professional for support. A therapist can give you personalized strategies to manage anxiety and address any underlying issues contributing it. You do not have to navigate anxiety alone.

More resources for situational anxiety:

• Careline Alaska - call or text 988 24/7, or call 1-877-266-HELP
• Alaska Behavioral Health
• National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI) Alaska
• Stressing Out: 7 Ways to Cope with Situational Anxiety (Clay Behavioral Health Center)
• 11 healthy ways to handle life’s stressors (American Psychological Association)
• What is situational anxiety? (Talkspace)

Scams are deceptive schemes designed to defraud individuals or organizations of money, personal information, or other valuables by exploiting trust and manipulating emotions. The digital space presents numerous opportunities for fraudsters, and scams can take many forms, including but not limited to:

Online scams: Examples include phishing emails, fake websites, and social media fraud. Scammers may impersonate legitimate companies to acquire personal information or money. Phone scams: These scams involve calls from people claiming to represent reputable organizations, such as banks or government agencies, and they may request sensitive information or payments. Hostage Phone Scams: Scammers claim to have taken a loved one hostage, demanding immediate payment through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards. In-Person Scams: Scammers approach victims directly, often posing as service providers or charity workers and using high-pressure tactics to solicit money. Investment Scams: These involve schemes that promise high returns on investments with little risk, often leading people to lose substantial amounts of money. Prize Scams: Victims receive messages claiming they've won a lottery or prize but must pay a fee to claim their winnings. Relationship Scams: Scammers build online relationships with people, eventually asking for money under various pretenses. Tech Support Scams: These scammers impersonate tech support representatives and claim that there are issues with the person’s computer, leading them to provide access or pay for unnecessary services.

To protect yourself from scams, trust your instincts—if something seems suspicious or too good to be true, it likely is. If you are targeted by a scam, try to stay calm, avoid giving personal or financial information, and end the communication immediately. Verify the scammer’s claims by contacting the relevant person or organization directly, and report the incident to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local police. If you’ve shared financial details, contact your bank to secure your accounts. Taking these precautions and educating your loved ones can help prevent you and others from becoming the victim of a scam.

Today is Hope Community Resources' anniversary!

On October 28, 1968, our organization was founded by Nancy Stuart Johnson, whose pioneering spirit led her to care for children with developmental disabilities in Alaska. From our beginning as "Hope Cottage" with 14 foster children in Anchorage, we've grown to become a statewide non-profit dedicated to supporting Alaskans who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and mental health challenges.

Nancy started a legacy of service that continues to thrive today. Here's to 56 years of Hope and the many lives positively impacted along the way!

Though a couple months have passed since our Summer Camp wrapped up, the memories and impact it left on our campers, staff, and community are still fresh in our minds. Thanks to generous grant funding from The Alaska Community Foundation, Hope was able to serve 34 campers!

Over the course of ten weeks, campers had a blast with various creative activities, hands-on learning, and outdoor adventures. Some of the many highlights included the Wildlife Week adventures, tie-dye shirt-making, ceramics class, meeting one of APD's police K9s "AC", and riding horses at the Flying Horse Equestrian Center.

Navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming, but being a strong self-advocate is important to getting the care you need. When communicating with healthcare providers, be clear about your symptoms and how they’re affecting your life. If a provider gives you a diagnosis, don’t be afraid to ask, “What else could this be?” Exploring all possibilities helps reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and ensures you receive the proper treatment.

Always bring documentation with you, including recent discharge paperwork, lab results, or imaging scans. Having a folder with your complete health history—such as past diagnoses, medications, allergies, and surgeries—can help providers get the full picture and avoid repeating tests or treatments. If you feel overwhelmed or that your concerns aren’t being fully understood, bring along a trusted person to help advocate for you. They can assist with clarifying your needs and making sure your voice is heard.

Self-advocacy is also important when insurance issues arise. Sometimes, doctors might recommend alternative tests or treatments because insurance won’t cover the preferred option. In these cases, ask questions like, “Is this the best option for my health?” or “What alternatives are available?” Don’t be afraid to challenge decisions that may prioritize cost over your well-being.

Finally, when you visit a healthcare provider, always make sure you fully understand the information that the provider discussed with you before you leave. Ask, “What are my next steps?” and “When and with whom should I schedule my next appointment? Repeat back what the provider tells you, and have them repeat what you’ve shared, to help prevent miscommunication. Remember that no one knows your body and health history better than you, so stay informed and be proactive in your own care to ensure your voice is heard, and your health is prioritized.

The 'Five Ds' of Healthcare Self-Advocacy

• Diagnosis. Understand your condition and ask if there are other possibilities.
• Drugs. Clarify what medications are being prescribed, their purpose, potential side effects, and interactions.
• Doctor. Confirm who is overseeing your care and who to contact with questions.
• Directions. Get clear instructions on your next steps and how to manage your condition.
• Diet. Ask if any dietary changes are needed to support your treatment of recovery.