CDC - Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event

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Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event

Trauma and Disaster Mental Health Resources
The effects of a disaster, terrorist attack, or other public health emergency can be long-lasting, and the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster. This page provides general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience. These strategies were developed by various organizations based on experiences in prior disasters.
Information for Individuals & Families

• Coping with Traumatic Events
  Provides general information regarding common reactions to expect after disasters.
• Video: Coping with a Traumatic Event
• Preventing Violence after a Natural Disaster
• Tips for Talking about Disasters
  Provides information that can be used by teachers, children, adults, families and response workers.
  
• Maintain a Healthy State of Mind
  Developed in partnership with the American Red Cross this site provides information for parents and caregivers, middle school students, high school students, adults and seniors.
  
• Helping Families Deal With the Stress of Relocation After a Disaster<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
  Helping family members deal with relocation stress from ATSDR.
• Helping Parents Prepare for a Disaster<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
• Helping Parents Cope with a Disaster<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
• After the Storm - Tips for Adult Healthy Relationships<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
  French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese
• After the Storm - Tips for Adults<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
  French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese
• After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Children <!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
  French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese
• After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Youth<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->
  French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese
• More resources for individuals and families

Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

• Coping With Depression and Thoughts of Suicide
• Hurricane Mental Health PSAs
  From SAMHSA, HHS
  

Information for Specific Groups

• Responders
• Health Professionals
• States & Planners

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: CDC - Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event

Coping With a Traumatic Event:


Information for the Public (see also Information for Health Professionals)
HIGHLIGHTS

• Traumatic events often cause feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and agression.
• It will take time before you start to feel better.
• There are many things you can do to cope with traumatic events, including talking to family, friends, and clergy for support.
• You may need to consider seeking professional help if you feel sad or depressed for more than two weeks, or if you are not able to take care of your family or do your job.

A traumatic event turns your world upside down.

After surviving a disaster or act of violence, people may feel dazed or even numb. They may also feel sad, helpless, or anxious. In spite of the tragedy, some people just feel happy to be alive.
It is not unusual to have bad memories or dreams. You may avoid places or people that remind you of the disaster. You might have trouble sleeping, eating, or paying attention. Many people have short tempers and get angry easily.

These are all normal reactions to stress.
It will take time before you start to feel better.

You may have strong feelings right away. Or you may not notice a change until much later, after the crisis is over. Stress can change how you act with your friends and family. It will take time for you to feel better and for your life to return to normal. Give yourself time to heal.
These steps may help you feel better.

A traumatic event disrupts your life. There is no simple fix to make things better right away. But there are actions that can help you, your family, and your community heal. Try to:

• Follow a normal routine as much as possible.
• Eat healthy meals. Be careful not to skip meals or to overeat.
• Exercise and stay active.
• Help other people in your community as a volunteer. Stay busy.
• Accept help from family, friends, co-workers, or clergy. Talk about your feelings with them.
• Limit your time around the sights and sounds of what happened. Don’t dwell on TV, radio, or newspaper reports on the tragedy.

Sometimes the stress can be too much to handle alone.

Ask for help if you:

• Are not able to take care of yourself or your children.
• Are not able to do your job.
• Use alcohol or drugs to get away from your problems.
• Feel sad or depressed for more than two weeks
• Think about suicide.

If you or someone you know is having trouble dealing with the tragedy, ask for help. Talk to a counselor, your doctor, or community organization, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).

• Page last reviewed February 20, 2009
• Page last updated February 20, 2009
• Content source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Office of Noncommunicable Diseases, Injury and Environmental Health