Expert one year after the board's crisis council: The time is ripe for us to also prepare mentally.

Despite the difficulty in getting people to follow the advice of authorities to stock up on essentials like bread and milk, crisis and disaster expert Rasmus Dahlberg still believes that the time - about a year after the advice was given - is ripe to take the next step.

We should not only stockpile materially, but also mentally prepare, he thinks.

Therefore, Rasmus Dahlberg believes that authorities should come up with a guide on how citizens can mentally cope in a time when one bad news story after another is constantly on the screen.

"It's the natural next step," he says.

In concrete terms, he suggests that the Danish Health Authority and the Danish National Board of Social Security work together to create information materials for the Danish people.

"There is a completely legitimate need in the population for tools to live in a crisis time," says Rasmus Dahlberg, who was also one of those who in his time fought for the implementation of material prepping advice.

At TrygFonden and Psychiatric Foundation, it was also recently reported that the world situation is causing concern among Danes, and at Psychiatric Foundation, more and more people are seeking the foundation's advice due to all that is happening in the world.

Rasmus Dahlberg researches preparedness and social security and has been associated with the Defense Academy for many years. (Photo: © Ole Joern)

As a crisis expert, Rasmus Dahlberg receives many questions about how to mentally handle an uncertain world - both when he is out giving lectures, or when people contact him.

"Very ordinary Danes write to me, saying they feel it's tiring and dark, how do you handle it? I am also working on a book about it."

It doesn't have to be rocket science that should be included in the guide, he thinks, but it can just be four pages with good advice and tips.

"I think it's a good investment in the long run for society as a whole."

Read also: 'A single piece is not enough': Majority of Danes have still not prepared ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/en-enkelt-pjece-er-ikke-nok-flertallet-af-danskerne-har-stadig-ikke-preppet )

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Winning strategies?

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More concretely, there should be a focus on the soft capacities, he thinks.

Therefore, it would be relevant with recommendations on how one can sensibly handle the many bad news and grim prospects that authorities and political leaders constantly set. Both as an individual and as a family.

"For example, how can you spot signs that a family member or friend is on the way down into a hole of helplessness, because everything seems to be going well?"

In addition, it could be guidance on how best to talk to one's children about crises and wars.

And it's about having both body and soul in the overall preparation of society. According to Rasmus Dahlberg, it can be about developing and offering good winning strategies (methods and techniques, one can use to handle challenges, for example.)

"... so that we as citizens in a crisis situation neither end up in escapism or depression over the fact that the world seems low, but rather learn to live with and in crises - and maybe even come out stronger through both society and individuals," he thinks.

Dahlberg does not think that the mental prepping need is large and urgent. He will "of course prioritize cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure higher," but the mental is still an aspect of making the population resilient.

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Does it scare you?

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If the government comes out with recommendations or guidance on how to mentally prepare, do you think that no one will think that it has gone too far? That we are now really starting to scare too much?

"I received the same question from your colleagues a year ago with the crisis advice on what one should have in the cellar to be ready for three days, and I have to say that 60-61 percent ( https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2024-06-21-mere-en-hver-anden-dansker-har-planer-om-at-preppe ) of those surveyed in Megafon surveys say it's a good idea or a very good idea with the advice."

"And international research shows that the vast majority of the population typically takes good advice and information," he thinks.

However, the Danes are still following the crisis advice. And despite a more uncertain world, where the Danish Defense Intelligence Service has sharpened threat assessments, and the Danish military both at home and in Europe has grown.

Earlier in the month, it was reported in a survey from Epinion conducted for DR, that 62 percent have not followed the advice on preparing, while 34 percent said they have.

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The Board is constantly evaluating whether it should be expanded

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From the Danish National Board of Social Security, the message is that they are constantly evaluating how best to prepare the citizens for potential crises.

"... and whether our communication should be expanded with additional focus areas, including mental health, as suggested."

The process will, if it takes place, take place in cooperation with the Danish Health Authority and other relevant organizations, the board informs.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen (V) and director of the Civil Defense Authority Laila Reenberg spoke about the crisis advice on Folkemødet 15. June last year. (Photo: © Thomas Traasdahl, Ritzau Scanpix)

In the emergency preparedness agreement for 2025-2026, there is also a focus on strengthening the citizen-oriented communication.

The one has bread and milk - the other refuses to prepare. Are you a Steffen or a Peder? ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/den-ene-har-daasemad-og-vand-den-anden-naegter-preppe-er-du-en-steffen-eller-en )

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