Let's Raise Awareness
Allen “Rookie” Kruse, the 55-year-old charter fisherman who lost his livelihood in the Gulf Coast, committed suicide last week. He is the first known casualty of the disaster after the oil rig workers who lost their lives in the explosion. The psychological effects of disaster can be severe and unexpected. The morale in the Gulf Coast is admittedly low and those who are vulnerable, perhaps with prior addictions or other emotional issues (although there were no such issues in Mr. Kruse’s past) need special care. We respond very differently to disasters that are acts of God and acts of man. The latter appears to be more painful to the survivors, perhaps as we struggle to interpret what happened and what our fellow human beings did. In Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses (Wiley, second edition paperback 2009), I wrote (page 195) “Now I am going to make a politically incorrect statement. Be attentive to the emotional needs of the men in your life. I was impressed by the men in my life and how many of them suffered silently and perhaps put themselves at greater risk of illness and injury …. sometimes we forget the difficult burden of masculine conduct, so listen carefully and be particularly attentive to the men in your life, who may have needs that they are too embarrassed to admit.” And some of these reactions may be very delayed. So let’s do what we can to reach out and offer support.