By
Linda Breazeale MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Families may have survived one life-altering
storm only to face more destructive forces from within. Marilyn Bailey, leadership development area agent with the Mississippi
State University Extension Service, knows firsthand about the stresses
created in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Her home in Bay St. Louis
is gone, and her office with the Hancock County Extension Service
was bulldozed without workers being allowed to examine the debris
for materials to salvage. “When we evacuated on Sunday morning, we never considered complete
destruction,” Bailey said. “It’s been hard to comprehend
news that entire towns and neighborhoods are gone. Our family is thankful
we’re all OK, but our nerves are shot. The only thing that is
getting us through this is our humor and our faith in God.” Normally, her
role within the Extension Service would put Bailey in the middle
of the recovery efforts. Instead, she has her hands full caring
for her elderly parents who lived near her. They all evacuated to
a relative’s home in Pensacola the day before Katrina hit.
The storm seriously damaged her mother’s 90-year-old family
home in Hancock County where her parents lived. Like so many other storm victims, Bailey said she and her husband
are finding it hard to know where to begin forming a recovery plan. “We just keep repeating, ‘One day at a time,’ and
hope that tomorrow will be better,” Bailey said. Patsilu Reeves, Extension family life education specialist, said
all family members will need special attention during the period of
recovery. Family research after 1992's Hurricane Andrew revealed a
spike in domestic abuse, substance abuse, child abuse and divorce
rates. “A disaster of the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina can cause
otherwise healthy marriages and individuals to be shaken to the core,” Reeves
said. “Much like the 100-year-old houses that had weathered
many previous hurricanes, this disaster could be too much for some
people to endure.” Reeves said a
realistic awareness of the situation and effective communication
are keys to families surviving Katrina’s aftermath. “Patience is easier to request than to give at this point.
Everyone is calling on strength from the depths of their being to
be patient with others, but it is essential for our mental health,” she
said. “Everyone is coping with extreme emotions.” Reeves encouraged families to take time to sit down and communicate
priorities and plans for recovery. Recognize that each person may
have different goals. “One person may consider housing to be the most immediate need,
another may consider financial issues more important. Getting the
children settled into a routine also will be important, but a family
can’t have multiple No. 1 priorities,” Reeves said. “Try
not to let the urgent needs become overwhelming. Remember that recovery
is going to take time, probably a long time.” Reeves said each member of the family will need extra attention,
especially children. Avoid heated discussions in front of children,
and seek quiet times both with and without children. “Hurricane Katrina splintered some communities and family support
systems, but it also plunged some families into cramped quarters and
more togetherness than normal,” she said. “Ask others
to help, and accept offers of assistance. Families can take turns
watching each other’s children while adults have time to themselves.” Just as the blame game takes place on a national level, Reeves said
some couples will blame one another for various issues related to
Katrina. “This is no body’s fault. We can’t change the past,
so everyone needs to stay focused on what’s important,” Reeves
said. “Look around and you’ll see many other people there
who also could not have prepared for a storm of this size. You are
not alone.” Resist the temptation to return to bad habits such as smoking, overeating
or substance abuse. Maintain a healthy diet if possible. -30- Released:
Sept. 15, 2005
Family,
Youth & Consumer News
Protect
families...
Take steps to
manage stress
after Katrina
Contact: Dr. Patsilu Reeves, (662) 325-1801
Visit: DAFVM
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Last Modified: Friday, 19-Dec-08 10:29:10
URL: http://msucares.com/news/print/fcenews/fce05/050915stress.html
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