Mental Health Campaign Supports Hurricane Survivors
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Health and Human
Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. Photo by Martín
Castillo |
SAMHSA and the Ad Council recently launched an outreach
campaign that includes public service announcements (PSAs)
to help survivors of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
The Hurricane Mental Health Awareness Campaign's objective
is to encourage and help adults, parents, caregivers, children,
and first responders who may be experiencing psychological
distress following these recent hurricanes to consider
seeking mental health services.
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SAMHSA Administrator
Charles G. Curie. Photo by Martín
Castillo |
The television and radio spots in both English and Spanish
address the fears, concerns, and questions faced by survivors.
These PSAs will be distributed to 12,000 media outlets
nationwide. In addition, SAMHSA has created a Web
site of disaster relief information at www.mentalhealth.
samhsa.gov/disaster
relief/psa.aspx. The Web site includes a
national hotline for survivors to call for assistance—1
(800) 789-2647. Publications, related topics, and important
links are also posted (see Resources).
The PSAs
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SAMHSA and the Ad
Council collaborated on several public service announcements
(PSAs) to help rescue workers, adults, and parents
and families cope with the aftermath of the recent
hurricanes.
Outreach to first responders through one PSA provides
an opportunity for rescue workers to get help through
a toll-free number. |
For adults, the PSA messages ask, "Having trouble
coping? Help is waiting!" In Spanish, "¿Estás
teniendo problemas enfrentando la situación? Puedes
encontrar ayuda."
For parents and caregivers concerned about their children,
one PSA asks, "What's going on in the mind of a
child who's lived through a hurricane?" A child's
voice answers, "You can drown in your bed if you
fall asleep."
For first responders, one PSA explains, "Sometimes
the bravest thing you can do is take care of yourself."
Background
According to SAMHSA, past research on the mental health
consequences of major floods and hurricanes suggests
that the psychological effects of the recent disasters
could be extensive. SAMHSA estimates that in areas devastated
by the hurricanes, 25 to 30 percent of the population
may experience clinically significant mental health needs
and an additional 10 to 20 percent may show subclinical
(but not trivial) needs.
Up to 500,000 people may be in need of assistance.
"Since the beginning of this unprecedented disaster,
we have been concerned about the mental well-being of
those affected by the storms," said Health and Human
Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.
People who were displaced by the storms have lost their
homes, schools, communities, places of worship, daily
routines, social support, personal possessions, and much
more. In some cases, the emotional toll includes the
sorrow of losing a loved one or witnessing death, widespread
destruction, and criminal violence.
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For parents and families:
It's difficult to know what's going on in the mind
of a child who's lived through a hurricane. To help,
this PSA provides parents and family members with
a toll-free number to call for guidance to calm their
children's fears, reassure them, and make sure children
are coping as best they can. |
The psychological impact of these experiences can be
both serious and long-lasting. Symptoms of post-traumatic
stress disorder—including depression, grief, and
anger—are to be expected. Survivors may also develop
physical health and behavior problems, such as substance
abuse disorders among adults and conduct problems among
children in school or at home. Some of these problems
may not surface for months or years.
"Most hurricane survivors demonstrate remarkable
resiliency and will rebuild their lives without significant
mental health or substance abuse issues," said SAMHSA
Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W. "We
also know that there are a significant number of people
who will have difficulty achieving recovery without professional
assistance. And now help is a phone call away."
Who May Need Help
The campaign's PSAs aim to reach adult survivors and
first responders directly, as well as parents and caregivers
who
can assess their children's emotional well-being. On
the surface, it's obvious that survivors may need help;
however, it is
much less obvious that first responders
may need help.
The effects of disasters on first responders—those
emergency personnel and rescue workers who helped people
survive these storms—may include mild or serious
mental health problems from witnessing so much pain and
suffering. Many turn to alcohol or drugs, too.
Viewers and listeners of the PSAs are asked to take
time to check in on how they and their families are doing,
and call a confidential toll-free number—1 (800)
789-2647 for adults/parents and 1 (800) 273-TALK for
first responders—to speak to a trained professional
who can assist with information and referrals to local
services.
"As survivors struggle to rebuild their lives and
focus on their immediate physical needs, it is important
for them to also consider their short- and long-term
emotional needs," said Peggy Conlon, President and
CEO of the Ad Council. "This poignant campaign,
created pro bono by Grey Advertising, will encourage
victims to get help."
The PSAs are being distributed to television and radio
stations nationwide via the FastChannel Network, and
they will air in advertising time donated by the media.
For more information or to view the PSAs, visit the
SAMHSA Web site at www.samhsa.gov.
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Resources
The following resources are included on the SAMHSA
Web site for disaster relief information at www.mentalhealth.
samhsa.gov/disasterrelief/psa.aspx.
National hotline for assistance
1 (800) 789-2647 (adults/parents)
1 (800) 273-TALK (first responders)
Publications
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Communicating in a Crisis: Risk Communications
Guidelines for Public Officials
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A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis Response
Professions
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Disaster Counseling
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Helping Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety
Online links
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
www.nctsnet.org
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
www.ncptsd.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov. |
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