After Paris attacks, San Bernardino shootings, psychotherapist says: "We are trying to help people cope"

PEWAUKEE -- How can we find hope in a world riddled with tragedy? A Waukesha psychotherapist, along with a pastoral associate offered coping mechanisms and guidance on how to deal with the horrors we've faced over the past few weeks -- including the terror attacks in Paris, and the massacre in San Bernardino.

"It's terrible. People are out there killing each other," a parishioner said.

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"We are trying to help people use their faith and use their mental health to cope with what's going on in the world," Dr. Doug Meske said.

San Bernardino shootings

Blending spirituality and psychology, Dr. Doug Meske, a psychotherapist and Dr. Kathie Amidei, a pastoral associate spoke to the hundreds of families gathered at St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church in Pewaukee on Sunday, December 6th.

"If we don`t watch it, the sadness can become a depression. The fears can become a an anxiety disorder. Stress can cause mood swings. Anger rolls into irritability," Dr. Meske said.

Dr. Meske focused on five points that can help:

Tips to limit stress

Meanwhile, Dr. Amidei reiterated resiliency -- and how to overcome the feeling of helplessness.

Dr. Kathie Amidei,

"What we try to do is help our families learn to what degree they can have control over things and how to make the most of that. We look at a sense of love -- that someone knows and loves us. We also have high expectations for each other -- that we look for the best in each other. Finally, that we have a sense of service, that we can contribute something to make the world -- to make it a better place," Dr. Amidei said.

Meske says his message is based on the Serenity Prayer: