Coping With Post-Disaster Stress
Release Date: June 4, 2003
Release Number: 1463-46
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Springfield, MO -- The emotional consequences of a disaster such as the May tornadoes, severe storms and flooding experienced in Missouri can be far reaching and long lasting.
"Losing a home, business, or personal property to disaster takes a financial toll on survivors," said Mike Karl, federal coordinating officer for the Missouri recovery effort. "But the emotional toll a disaster exacts can be devastating, too. A survivor's emotional well-being also needs to be addressed."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has funded an initial $125,000 grant to the Missouri Department of Mental Health to provide immediate crisis counseling services for those affected by the recent tornadoes, severe storms and flooding.
Mental health experts say stress caused by loss or a devastating experience can assume many forms. It often appears weeks or months following a traumatic event. Many disaster survivors are likely to experience at least one of several emotional responses: anger, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, nightmares, depression, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity and increased alcohol or drug use.
Experts suggest a number of ways to relieve the symptoms of emotional distress caused by a traumatic event:
- Talk about your feelings with family, friends and neighbors. Friends and family are good medicine and sharing common experiences often helps people deal with and overcome anxiety and feelings of helplessness.
- Get back into daily routines as soon as you can. Try to maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep.
- Do some physical exercise every day.
- Children are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress after a disaster, including excessive fear of the dark, crying, fear of being alone and constant worry. Reassure children they are safe; encourage them to talk about their fears; emphasize they are not responsible for what happened, and hold and hug them frequently.
Disaster survivors who are having difficulty coping with some or all of these stress-related problems should contact one of the following resources:
For counseling needs and crisis intervention (24 hours/day)
Missouri Department of Mental Health:
(800) 494-7355 (southwest Missouri only)
(800) 811-4760 (all other parts of Missouri)
For victims of disaster
National Organization for Victim Assistance: (417) 863-7273
For victims and emergency personnel
Community Crisis Team of the Ozarks: (417) 863-9048
For family crisis, abuse and alcoholism
Victims Center of the Ozarks: (417) 863-7273
For farm family crisis and mediation services
Missouri Rural Crisis Center: (573) 449-1336
For parents and other caregivers to help children cope
ParentLink WarmLine: (800) 522-8522
Any individual who was affected by the disaster and is in need of crisis counseling, and lives in any one of the counties designated a disaster area, can also call their local community mental health center.
Individuals who have suffered losses or damages from the recent tornadoes, severe storms and flooding can register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The TTY number for the speech- and hearing-impaired is: 1-800-462-7585.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 04-Jun-2003 15:51:52