Coping with Traumatic Events
Strong Feelings are Expected
After a traumatic event emotional and physical reactions are different for each person. While it is typical to react to a stressful event with increased anxiety, worry and anger, most people bounce back. In fact, Americans consistently demonstrate remarkable resilience in the aftermath of disasters and other traumatic events.
Connect with Friends and Family
Check in with family members and friends to find out how they are coping. Feeling stressed, sad, upset are common reactions to life changing events. Recognize and pay attention to early warning signs of more serious distress. Your children, like you, will have reactions to this difficult situation; they too may feel fearful, angry, sad, worried, and confused. Children will benefit from your talking with them on their level about what is happening, to get your reassurance, and to let them know that you and they will be OK and that you will all get through this together.
Take Care of Yourself and Each Other
Getting support from others, taking care of yourself by eating right, getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol and drugs and getting some exercise can help to manage and alleviate stress.
Know When to Seek Help
Depending on the situation, some people may develop depression, experience grief and anger, turn to alcohol or drugs and even think about hurting themselves or others. The signs of serious problems include:
- excessive worry
- crying frequently
- an increase in irritability, anger, and frequent arguing
- wanting to be alone most of the time
- feeling anxious or fearful, overwhelmed by sadness, confused
- having trouble thinking clearly and concentrating, and difficulty making decisions
- increased alcohol and/or substance use
- increased physical (aches, pains) complaints such as headaches
- trouble with your "nerves"
If these signs and symptoms continue (persist) and interfere with daily functioning, it is important to seek help for yourself or a loved one.
Know How to Find Help
If you or someone you care about needs help, you should contact your health care provider to get connected with trained and caring professionals. Anyone in crisis or thinking about suicide should call SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is important to seek professional help if you need it. The Missouri Department of Mental Health has set up a Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1-800-494-7355.
Resources to Help Cope with a Traumatic Event
For Emergency Responders:
- SAMHSA Disaster Kit
Arms disaster recovery workers with a toolkit on mental health awareness. Includes materials for responding effectively to the general public during and after a disaster and in dealing with workplace stress. - Psychological First Aid for First Responders
Gives tips to emergency response workers and disaster response workers to help disaster survivors cope with the psychological aspects of a traumatic event. Offers strategies for managing intense emotions and promoting a safe, calm environment. [PDF (English) | 430kb] | [PDF (Japanese) | 1,100kb] - Guide for Emergency Response and Public Safety Workers: Tips for Managing and Preventing Stress
Gives organizational and individual tips for stress prevention and management for emergency response workers and public safety workers. Describes normal reactions to a disaster, signs of the need for stress management, and ways to handle stress. - Tips for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers: Possible Alcohol and Substance Abuse Indicators
Information on the indicators or warning signs associated with alcohol and drug addiction, and other physical and mental disorders.
For Individuals and Families:
- Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event: Managing Your Stress
- Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work & Financial Life
- Guide for Parents and Educators: Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events
- Tips for Talking to Children: Interventions At Home for Preschoolers to Adolescents [PDF 263kb]
- Disaster Tips Wallet Card: Having Trouble Coping? [PDF (English) | 420kb] | [PDF (Spanish) | 430kb]
- How to Deal With Grief
- National Mental Health Recovery Campaign
A public education campaign designed to encourage, educate, and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems. - Social Acceptance is the Key to Mental Health Recovery
This fact sheet provides information on a 2006 survey of the public's attitudes on mental illness and highlights how increasing social acceptance can help to increase mental health recovery.
Last Updated: 08/25/2011