Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event

http://emergency.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

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 that were developed by various organizations based on experiences in prior disasters.

Disaster Distress Helpline

• If you are experiencing signs of distress as a result of a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and support. Call 1-800-985-5990 (TTY for deaf/hearing impaired: 1-800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

Information for Individuals

• Coping With a Traumatic Event
  How to deal with the stress that can result from a traumatic event
• Video: Coping with a Traumatic Event
• Coping with Stress
• Self Care Tips for Dealing with Stress 
  Stress management & how to ease stress from SAMHSA, HHS
• Preventing Violence after a Natural Disaster
• 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.
• After the Storm - Tips for Adult Healthy Relationships 
  French  | Haitian Creole  | Spanish  | Vietnamese 
• After the Storm - Tips for Adults 

• SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline
  1-800-985-5990 (TTY for deaf/hearing impaired: 1-800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746

Information for Parents and Families

• Helping Parents Prepare for a Disaster  [PDF - 360 KB]
• Helping Parents Cope with a Disaster  [PDF - 141 KB]
• Tips for Talking to Children and Youth
  Information based on brochure developed by Project Heartland from SAMHSA, HHS
• Helping Families Deal With the Stress of Relocation After a Disaster 
  Helping family members deal with relocation stress from ATSDR
• Helping Teenagers With Stress
  General information From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear & Anxiety
  Pointers from The Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign from SAMHSA, HHS
• Children and the News 
  General information From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Helping Age-specific Interventions at Home for Children in Trauma 
  From Preschool to Adolescence from SAMHSA, HHS
• After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Children 
  French  | Haitian Creole  | Spanish  | Vietnamese 
• After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Youth 
  French  | Haitian Creole  | Spanish  | Vietnamese 

Information for Teachers and Schools

• Tips for Talking About Disasters
  Resources for Teachers, Children, Adults, Families & Response Workers from SAMHSA, HHS
• Tips for Talking to Children and Youth
  Resources for Teachers, Children, Adults, Families & Response Workers from SAMHSA, HHS
• Information about School Violence

Information for Responders

• Disaster Mental Health for Responders: Key Principles, Issues and Questions
  Responders needs, reactions, symptoms in a disaster...
• Field Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters
  Resources from SAMHSA, HHS
• Self-Care Tips for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers 
  Signs that you need stress management assistance & ways to help manage stress from SAMHSA, HHS
• Surviving Field Stress for First Responders
  Webcast. Describes stress, coping with field related stress, and information for families of responders......
• Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Emergency Response Workers
  How to take care of yourself onsite & at home; developed by the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH), CDC

Information for Health Professionals

• Coping With a Traumatic Event
  How to help patients cope with a traumatic event
• American Psychiatric Association: Disaster Psychiatry
  Features publications on disaster psychiatry as well as recommendations for broader involvement of psychiatrists in disaster work.
• Psychological First Aid: Helping People Cope During Disasters and Public Health Emergencies
  Online course from NACCHO

Information for States and Local Health Departments

• Disaster Mental Health Primer: Key Principles, Issues and Questions
  Overview of general principles and reactions to disasters
• Disaster Mental Health for States: Key Principles, Issues and Questions
  What should happen in the first four weeks, roles, and reaction in a disasters

Effects of Stress

• The Long-term Impact of a Traumatic Event
  What to expect in your personal, family, work & financial life from SAMHSA, HHS
• The Effects of Stress on Drug Abuse
  The National Institute on Drug Abuse

Suicide Prevention

• SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990 (TTY for deaf/hearing impaired:
   1-800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 
  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is fully staffed to receive all calls at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center 
  Includes Information and Resources

Coping during Specific Types of Emergencies

Natural Disasters

• Preventing Violence after a Natural Disaster 
  Preventing child maltreatment, shaken baby syndrome, managing stress in relationships, sexual violence, suicide & youth violence

Hurricanes

• Hurricane Aftermath Resources 
  A collection of resources for the Public, Volunteers, Health Professionals & Schools compiled by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Psychosocial Concerns after Hurricane Katrina Tips for Medical Care Providers
  A collection of resources for Medical Providers, Survivors, Response Workers, Military, Family of Military & more from the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Hurricane Disaster Care Resources
  Resources provided by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• After the Storm - Tips for Adult Healthy Relationships 
  French  | Haitian Creole  | Spanish  | Vietnamese 
• After the Storm - Tips for Adults 
  French  | Haitian Creole  | Spanish  | Vietnamese 
• After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Children 
  French  | Haitian Creole  | Spanish  | Vietnamese 
• After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Youth 
  French  | Haitian Creole  | Spanish  | Vietnamese 
• More resources for individuals and families

Terrorist Events

• Maintain a Healthy State of Mind 
  Developed in partnership with the American Red Cross
  • Info for Parents & Caregivers
  • Info for Middle School Students
  • Info for High School Students
  • Info for Adults
  • Info for Seniors

Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

• Coping With Depression and Thoughts of Suicide

Other Resources

• Publications on Mental Health & Disaster Issues
  A collection of resources for Responders, Adults, Families, Older Adults & Schools from SAMHSA, HHS
• MedlinePlus: Coping with Disasters
  National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• MedlinePlus: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Public Health Emergency Response Guide V 2.0

http://emergency.cdc.gov/planning/responseguide.asp

Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors - Version 2.0

Download the entire Response Guide (print on 8.5" x 11" paper)

English  Version 2.0 (210 KB/65 pages)
Spanish  Version 2.0 (282 KB/65 pages)

OR

Download the 8.5" x 11" templates available in the back of the guide

State, local, and tribal health departments play an extremely important role in all-hazards emergency preparedness and response. Public health professionals within these departments should have immediate access to guidance and information that will assist them in rapidly establishing priorities and undertaking necessary actions during the response to an emergency or disaster. The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services (EEHS) has developed an all-hazards public health emergency response guide to address this need.

The Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors is an all-hazards reference tool for health professionals who are responsible for initiating the public health response during the first 24 hours (i.e., the acute phase) of an emergency or disaster. It provides useful information on the activation and integration of a jurisdiction’s public health system into the existing emergency response structure during the acute phase of an incident. It also contains guidance that is applicable to specific types of incidents, such as floods, earthquakes, and acts of terrorism.

The guide is not a substitute for emergency preparedness activities and is not intended to replace existing emergency operations plans, procedures, or guidelines within a jurisdiction’s health department. It is consistent with the doctrine, concepts, principles, terminology, and organizational processes in the National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Guide users are encouraged to submit feedback on the effectiveness and utility of the guide in incidents, exercises, training and education programs, and other ways in which the guide is being used. To obtain a copy*, submit feedback, or for more information on the Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors, please contact Martin A. Kalis at (770) 488-4568 or pherg@cdc.gov.

*Copies of Version 1.0 of the guide are currently available. Limited numbers of copies of Version 2.0 of the guide will soon be available.

Webinar: Demystifying the Lender Q&A Webinars

Demystifying the Lender Q&A Webinars Webinars conducted by the National Flood Insurance Program October 30, 20129:00 - 11:00 am MDT/ 10:00 am - Noon CDT REGISTER October 30, 2012 1:00 - 3:00 pm MDT/ 2:00 - 4:00 pm CDT REGISTER WHAT YOU WILL LEARNDemystifying the Lender Q&A provides a revealing look at all the topics in the Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Flood Insurance as published in the July 2009 and October 2011 Federal Registers. Topics will include: Designated Loans Insurable Value Amount of Flood Insurance Flood Zone Discrepancies Residential Condominiums Force Placement Construction Loans and Much More   REGISTRATION INFORMATION To register, please use the links above.     Please do not reply to this email. If you have general questions regarding NFIP Training, please write to nfiptraininginfo@h2opartnersusa.com or view the NFIP schedule. Sign-Up for NFIP Lender Training Bulletins The National Flood Insurance Program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). National Flood Insurance Program Training | www.nfipiservice.com/training nfiptraininginfo@h2opartnersusa.com | (800) 427-4661

Pet Sheltering and Pet Evacuation

Pet Evacuation, Pet Friendly Emergency Shelters, Disaster Preparedness for Pets

National Hurricane Center
Check National Hurricane Center updates.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Information for Pet Owners
If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return. The federal government now officially supports including pets in disaster plans. In 2000 The HSUS and FEMA signed an historic partnership agreement to encourage and assist people who want to safeguard their pets in a natural disaster. Since FEMA came on board, it’s become easier to find a shelter that will accept your pets. But don’t assume any shelter you go to will allow you to keep your dog or cat with you. Before disaster hits, reach out to local officials—work with them to confirm that you will be allowed to evacuate with your pets and that cohabitated shelters [ones that take people and their pets] will be available in your area.

The Humane Society of America: Disaster Preparedness for Pets
The key to survival during a disaster, crisis or emergency is to be as prepared as possible before the storm hits. Take the time to make a plan and assemble an emergency kit for you and your pet and you will greatly increase your pet's chances of survival.

Pets and Disaster: Be Prepared
Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of states' health and safety regulations and other considerations. Service animals who assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. 

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL DISASTER STRIKES TO DO YOUR RESEARCH.

* The best option is to get a friend or relative outside the evacuation area to take your pets, and preferably you, too. If that's not possible, try locating a pet friendly motel or one that waives animal prohibitions during evacuations.

• * Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
• * You may not be home when the evacuation order comes; find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location.

WHAT IS PET FRIENDLY EVACUATION SHELTERING?

Pet-friendly evacuation sheltering can be planned and executed in a multitude of ways. In some communities, the human evacuation shelter is within the same room, facility, or campus as accommodations for pets. This allows the animals' owners to have a large role in caring for the pet. In other communities, the human shelter and pet shelter may be in separate locations. In this case, evacuees are told where to bring their pets, while they will be staying at a shelter for people.

If you will need to go to a pet friendly shelter during an evacuation, make sure you have the following items ready to go for your pet: a leash and collar, a crate, a two-week supply of food and water, your pets' vaccination records, medications, and written instructions for feeding and administering medication. If your favorite four-legged friend is feline, be sure you bring kitty-litter and an appropriate container, too.

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) of 2006 requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster. Local and state authorities must submit these plans in order to qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Currently, not all communities offer pet friendly emergency/evacuation shelters.

TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PET FRIENDLY SHELTER IN YOUR AREA, CALL YOUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER.

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.

These activities were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year the first national toll-free hotline was begun. In 1989 the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort.

In October 1994 NCADV, in conjunction with Ms. Magazine, created the "Remember My Name" project, a national registry to increase public awareness of domestic violence deaths. Since then, NCADV has been collecting information on women who have been killed by an intimate partner and produces a poster each October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, listing the names of those documented in that year.

The Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday in October. NCADV hopes that events in communities and regions across the fifty states will culminate in a powerful statement celebrating the strength of battered women and their children.