Safety is Foundational to Education and Wellness
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Specializing in transforming education systems and improving overall mental health.
How preparedness, clear communication, and compassionate leadership protect communities before and after crisis. Safety is foundational to education and wellness. Yet, for many people around the world, safety is not a daily reality. The good news is that each of us can make a difference, right where we are.
During a recent conversation with my trusted colleague, Firdaus Kharas, we discussed the urgent need to help slow the rapid spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, and Uganda.
The World Health Organization had declared this Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, which makes this outbreak even more dangerous.
Throughout my career, in every region where I have worked, I have seen that collaboration is what creates real change. This is where you and I come in.
I invite you to join me in assisting Firdaus in a rapid campaign to spread clear, trusted, and accurate public education to help stop transmission, reduce fear, and help the public adopt protective action steps.
Brainz Magazine has a worldwide readership. By passing on these videos to individuals or organizations that have contacts or a presence in DRC and Uganda, you can help address this crisis and lessen the tragedy. Your effort can help save lives.
Because the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, fast, clear, and trusted public education is one of the most important tools available to help stop transmission, reduce fear, counter misinformation, and encourage protective behavior.
Below are the videos for immediate and wide distribution, available in several languages.
Ebola: A Poem for the Living, an animated Ebola containment video.
Ebola: In Praise of Prevention, an animated Ebola prevention video.
“Where there is no vaccine, knowledge becomes protection,” said Firdaus Kharas, founder of Chocolate Moose Media and director of the videos. “During an Ebola outbreak, people need to know what to do, what not to do, and why their actions can save the lives of those they love. Public education must move as quickly as the virus.”
How can we respond when crisis hits?
Through my work in Afghanistan, Haiti, and Liberia, and in disaster response settings, I have seen the importance of education and planning in reducing trauma and tragedy. The need for safety doesn’t end when the crisis ends. Safety is foundational to recovery and to moving forward.
Even in countries untouched by war, our schools and institutions are not immune to society's challenges. When a sudden death or another traumatic event strikes a country, a community, a school, or a campus community, it does more than disrupt routines. It shakes people’s sense of safety, trust, and order.
Our schools are meant to be places of care and stability, so when distress is visible and adults seem unprepared or overwhelmed, trust can erode. In those moments, students need calm structure, clear leadership, and deep compassion.
The days immediately following a crisis are often marked by confusion, heightened emotion, and uncertainty for everyone involved: students, parents, teachers, administrators, office staff, and custodial teams. A strong crisis response is a practical, humane intervention designed to stabilize the situation, help people understand and handle their reactions, and then support a safe return to normalcy over time. Formal responses extend beyond the first day, with follow-up required in the weeks ahead.
10-step framework for crisis relief
Don't be caught unprepared. Be prepared and know how to respond. It makes all the difference.
Create the plan before the crisis arrives: A crisis plan should never be written in the middle of chaos. The strongest institutions prepare early, think clearly, and build a framework before it is urgently needed.
Shape the plan to fit your reality: No two schools or institutions face the same risks, pressures, or community expectations. Expert guidance can help ensure the plan is practical, responsive, and tailored to your setting.
Prepare people, roles, and procedures: Preparation means more than good intentions. Crisis responses require clear definitions of crisis, designated team members, clear responsibility levels, and reliable systems for communication and record keeping.
Match the response to the crisis: Not every crisis should be handled in the same way. Violence, suicide, sudden loss, family trauma, and large-scale disaster each require a response that fits the nature and severity of the event.
Mobilize the crisis team immediately: When a crisis hits, speed and coordination matter. The crisis team must move quickly to assess the situation, assign responsibilities, protect safety, and guide the first stages of response.
Communicate early, clearly, and calmly: Families, staff, and the wider public look for leadership in moments of uncertainty. Proactive, measured communication reduces confusion, manages expectations, and preserves trust.
Reduce traumatic stress with structured support: In the aftermath of crisis, emotional distress must be taken seriously. Safe spaces, careful monitoring, and appropriate crisis support help stabilize individuals and reduce longer-term harm.
Review the situation and debrief: After the initial response is underway, leaders should review what happened, assess the impact, and identify what still needs attention. Once the crisis has passed, a thoughtful debrief strengthens coordination, prepares for any future crisis, and supports a steadier return to routine.
Create space for closure and remembrance: When loss has deeply affected a community, closure should be handled with care. Memorials and guided classroom activities can help students and staff process grief with dignity.
Learn from the crisis and strengthen the plan: A crisis plan should evolve with experience. Reviewing lessons learned allows institutions to refine their response, close gaps, and become better prepared for the future.
For schools, campuses, and institutions seeking professional guidance to develop their Crisis Relief Plans, visit Crisis Relief. Dr. Peat arranges for the customization of crisis plans tailored to your situation, preparing your team to have the best outcome possible from the worst possible scenarios.
Read more from Dr. David William Peat
Dr. David William Peat, Transformational Education Inc.
Dr. Peat, the founder and CEO of Transformational Education Inc., draws on over 40 years of experience to craft and implement forward-thinking strategies in curriculum reform, teacher development, and professional learning. His leadership has driven high-impact partnerships with governments, NGOs, schools, and universities across countries such as Afghanistan, Jordan, and Antigua and Barbuda, advancing inclusive, high-quality education for diverse communities worldwide. In addition, Dr. Peat co-developed Dimensions of Wellness, a health and wellness software platform that delivers a data-driven framework for assessing and improving individual and organizational well-being.
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