Mental Health

Mental Health Resources for Natural Disasters

The following resources are 1-2 page fact sheets that provide information on dealing with emotions that arise after a disaster like Hurricane Katrina.  The information provides tips and suggestions for how to recognize and respond to mental health needs.

1- A Guide for Older Adults - provides suggestions for older adults attempting to understand terrorist events http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN-01-0094/default.asp

2- Information on Coping with Traumatic Events - provides general information and resources for coping with a traumatic event http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masstrauma/copingpub.asp

3- Managing Traumatic Stress: After Hurricane Katrina - provides information on how to help family members deal with traumatic stress and offers advice on when to seek professional help http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=107

4- Recognizing and Reducing Anxiety in Times of Crisis - a fact sheet that provides tips for dealing with stress from traumatic events http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/managinganxiety/reducinganxiety.asp

5- How to Deal with Grief - a fact sheet that provides information about the grieving process - what to expect & where to find support http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN-01-0104/default.asp

The following resources have been designed for professionals working with disaster survivors.  The tips and suggestions will be helpful to ombudsmen and others who work with residents and families in the days and weeks following a traumatic event.

1- Information on Coping with Traumatic Events (for professionals) - provides an overview of common responses to traumatic events as well as suggestions for those assisting disaster survivors http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masstrauma/copingpro.asp

2- Disaster Counseling - provides suggestions on establishing rapport and active listening for those working with disaster survivors http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN-01-0096/default.asp

3- Psychological First Aid: How You Can Support Well-Being in Disaster Victims - fact sheet that provides some "Do's and Don'ts" for working with disaster survivors http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/downloads/CSTS_Psych1stAid.pdf

Anyone assisting disaster survivors needs to remember that their own physical and mental health is equally important.  These fact sheets offer tips and suggestions for monitoring your own reactions and mental health needs.

1- Self Care Tips for Dealing with Stress - covers things to remember when trying to understand disaster events, signs that adults need stress management assistance, and ways to ease stress http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN-01-0097/default.asp

2- Self-Care Tips for Emergency & Disaster Response Workers - provides suggestions for those who are at the scene. It outlines facts, indicators of stress, and stress management strategies http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/KEN%2D01%2D0098/

The following resources are more comprehensive and provide additional information as well as contact information for local mental health services and crisis centers.

1- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) - http://www.nami.org/ or 1-800-NAMI (6264)

• has a Hurricane Katrina Resource Guide that provides state specific information on disaster relief support services including Crisis Center Intervention contact information

• paragraph about NH relocations - p. 29

• includes information about Mental Health Counseling and Trauma Support  

2- Centers for Disease Control - Provides a wide range of fact sheets on a variety of issues including managing stress and grief after natural disasters http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth

3- Mental Health Intervention for Disasters - National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - a comprehensive mental health resource that details the steps involved in a mental health care response after natural disaster http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/disasters/fs_treatment_disaster.html    

4- In the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: Addressing Emergent Psychological Needs - American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress http://www.aaets.org/column6.htm  - provides another more comprehensive resource on addressing mental health needs after a crisis

5- Brochure - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - describes the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in clear language http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/NIMHptsd.pdf