Disaster Mental Health

Public Health Seattle & King County

Key Concepts of Disaster Mental Health: Disaster stress and grief reactions are

normal responses to an abnormal situation

Social support systems are crucial to recovery after a disaster

Most people pull together and function during and after a disaster but their effectiveness is diminished

Does a Person Have to be Directly Affected by an Event to Experience Stress Responses?

No, people can experience stress responses:– Witnessing a traumatic event (eye witness

or television)– Learning of a family or friend’s traumatic

experience

Factors Influencing Response to Traumatic Events:

Degree and nature of exposure Developed coping mechanisms or

strategies Available resources and support Ability to understand what has happened Personal meaning of the event Developmental level

Populations at Risk for Psychiatric Problems Following a Traumatic Stress

Those exposed to the dead and injured The elderly or the very young People with a history of previous

exposure to traumatic events

Populations at Risk for Psychiatric Problems Following a Traumatic Stress Continued: People with other major life stressors People with poor support systems Those with chronic medical or

psychological disorders

What are Normal Responses to Traumatic Events?

Normal Reactions:

Profound sadness, grief and anger Feelings of depression and anxiousness Loss of interest in usual activities Numbness or lack of feeling Edginess, irritability Trouble sleeping or concentrating

Behavioral Changes:

Change in appetite (more or less than usual)

Increased substance use Interpersonal conflict

Physical Signs and Symptoms:

Fatigue Muscle spasms or aches Nausea, diarrhea, stomach aches Headaches High blood pressure Shortness of breath, tightening in chest or

throat Sexual problems

Signs You or Your Co-Worker May Need Assistance Dealing with Stress:

You feel overwhelmed and unable to cope

Responses interfere significantly with your ability to function in daily activities

Symptoms worsen over a month or more

Signs You or Your Co-Worker May Need Assistance Dealing with Stress Continued: You are experiencing several

signs/symptoms at once or for days at a time

Abusive behavior towards self, (including drinking too much or thoughts of suicide), or others

Stress is making you physically sick

Individual Ways of Managing Stress:

Exercise Eat well and avoid junk food, caffeine

or alcohol Get adequate sleep and rest

Individual Ways of Managing Stress Continued: Meditate Recharge your batteries by taking a

bath, listening to music, reading etc. Take time out for hobbies and other

enjoyable activities Maintain contact with social support

system

Individual Ways of Managing Stress Continued: Talk about your experiences and

feelings with someone you trust If television or other news sources

make you feel worse then don’t watch or read them

Educate yourself on stress responses, ways to cope and when and where to get help:

Recognize early warning signs Accept you may need help in

assessing your level of stress Use a buddy system where you

monitor each other for stress

Organizational Ways to Lessen Stress During an Event: Clear chain of command Available supervisors Shifts of no more than 12 hours Regular briefing on what’s happening Clear purpose and goals Define roles by function

Develop a Management Plan for Stress: Frequently assess worker’s functioning Encourage breaks Educate about signs of stress and

coping strategies Facilitate access to individual and group

counseling

Available Resources for Public Health Staff: Employee Assistance Program

– http://www.metrokc.gov/ohrm/OtherBenefits/mle.htm

Community Resources:

24-hour Crisis Line:– (206) 461-3222, 1-866-4CRISIS

Community Information Line:– (M-F 8am-6pm): (206) 461-3200, 1-800-621-

INFO Seattle Chapter of American Red Cross

– (206) 323-2345 , Web site: http://www.seattleredcross.org/

Local churches

Web Resources:

http://www.workplacementalhealth.org/resources.htm

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/