FEMA Helps New Yorkers Cope With Post-Disaster Stress
Release Date: June 21, 2007
Release Number: 1692-065
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. -- In addition to assisting New Yorkers recover from the April nor'easter and subsequent flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers information on coping with post-disaster stress.
Signs that indicate someone may be suffering from stress include having trouble concentrating or remembering things; difficulty making decisions; replaying the events of the flood; feeling depressed or sad; experiencing anxiety or fear; nightmares; having trouble sleeping; and feeling overwhelmed.
"There are stages of grieving that people typically experience after a major loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and, finally, acceptance," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Marianne C. Jackson. "During an emergency, people focus on their immediate needs first and it is not until after the crisis is over that stress may catch up with people and they begin having trouble coping with daily, routine activities."
Mental health experts suggest a few ways to relieve stress following a disaster:
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Eat nutritional foods, get adequate sleep and share your thoughts and feelings with others.
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Get back into your daily routines as soon as you can.
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Get some physical exercise every day.
Children express their emotional stress after a disaster with excessive fear of the dark, crying, fear of being alone, and constant worry. Since they are particularly vulnerable to post-disaster stress, here are some tips to help them through a difficult time:
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Reassure children that they are safe.
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Encourage them to talk about their fears.
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Emphasize that they are not responsible for what happened.
Older adults have additional stress-related problems that may require special considerations. These include:
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Memories or feelings associated with prior losses
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Fear of dependency or lack of self-sufficiency
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Worry about limited financial resources and time to rebuild
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Confusion and disorientation
More information about coping with stress after a disaster is available online at www.fema.gov; click on the Recover & Rebuild tab on the topic banner at the top of the homepage and then choose the 'Cope with Disaster' link in the 'Immediately after a Disaster' Section.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or manmade, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 21-Jun-2007 11:19:15