Managing Stress in These Trying Times 
 
The following are common reactions to stress such as the economic crisis that can affect 
emotional or mental well-being: 
• Persistent sadness/crying 
• Excessive anxiety 
• Lack of sleep/constant fatigue 
• Excessive irritability/anger 
• Increased drinking, illicit drug use, including misuse of medications 
• Difficulty paying attention or staying focused 
• Apathy – not caring about things that are usually important 
• Not being able function as well in day-to-day activities 
 
The following are coping techniques to help manage stress: 
• Try to keep things in perspective, recognize the good aspects of life and retain hope for the 
future. 
• Strengthen connections with family, friends and spiritual and faith-based affiliations that can 
provide important emotional support. 
• Engage in activities such as physical exercise, sports, hobbies and social events that can 
relieve stress and anxiety and can enhance a sense of connectedness and self-worth. 
• Pursue opportunities to retrain to develop new employment skills. 
• Engage in creative thinking on an individual and group basis to develop new employment 
opportunities. 
• Remember that every crisis is temporary, life goes on, and together we can emerge 
triumphant. 
Brought to you by the 
USVI Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism, and Drug Dependency Services, Black Psychiatrists of America, 
National Association of Black Social Workers