Surviving the Pandemic;Surviving the Pandemic;Mental Health IssuesMental Health Issues

October 12, 2006October 12, 2006Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WIAlliant Energy Center, Madison, WI

Barb Biddick LPC, Mental Health TeamBarb Biddick LPC, Mental Health TeamAmerican Red Cross-Badger ChapterAmerican Red Cross-Badger Chapter

Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

5. Self-Actualization5. Self-Actualization 4. Status (Esteem)4. Status (Esteem) 3. Love/Belonging3. Love/Belonging 2. Safety2. Safety 1. Physiological 1. Physiological

(biological needs)(biological needs)

Surviving the PandemicSurviving the Pandemic

A virus that has never infected humans before causes A virus that has never infected humans before causes pandemic flu.pandemic flu.

Vaccinations won’t be available until the virus is Vaccinations won’t be available until the virus is identified & a vaccine produced. This development can identified & a vaccine produced. This development can take several months.take several months.

Avoid crowds.Avoid crowds. Wash hands.Wash hands. Plan ahead.Plan ahead.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 2006U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 2006

CDC 8/2006

Antiviral Drug Antiviral Drug

U.S. Dept. of HHS Secretary Leavitt announces U.S. Dept. of HHS Secretary Leavitt announces GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is awarded a contract GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is awarded a contract of $16,833,000 to provide zanamivir (Relenza) of $16,833,000 to provide zanamivir (Relenza) to all 50 states, the Dist. Of Columbia, 5 U.S. to all 50 states, the Dist. Of Columbia, 5 U.S. territories, & 3 Freely Associated States of the territories, & 3 Freely Associated States of the Pacific at a subsidized price. Pacific at a subsidized price. 7/20/2006 7/20/2006

This covers 25% of the population.This covers 25% of the population.

Surviving the PandemicSurviving the Pandemic

Virologist Robert G. Webster states:Virologist Robert G. Webster states:-We may have 5 years to prepare-We may have 5 years to prepareTime for scientists to develop, manufacture and stock Time for scientists to develop, manufacture and stock

pile new seed stocks for vaccines and antiviral pile new seed stocks for vaccines and antiviral medications, such as Relenza and Tamiflu.medications, such as Relenza and Tamiflu.

-Until then, get flu shots and pneumonia shots.-Until then, get flu shots and pneumonia shots.-Practice good hygiene; hand washing, don’t shake -Practice good hygiene; hand washing, don’t shake

hands.hands. Fall 2006 AARP The MagazineFall 2006 AARP The Magazine

Related Mental Health IssuesRelated Mental Health Issues

Fear of the unknownFear of the unknown Possible chaos (panic, anger) leading to crisis eventsPossible chaos (panic, anger) leading to crisis events Those who are currently in crisisThose who are currently in crisis Those who are chronically mentally illThose who are chronically mentally ill Stress of surviving and functioning for months before Stress of surviving and functioning for months before

vaccine is producedvaccine is produced Communication needsCommunication needs Scarcity of resourcesScarcity of resources Grief and loss concernsGrief and loss concerns Cumulative stressCumulative stress

Prevent Fear & ChaosPrevent Fear & Chaos

Plan, Plan, PlanPlan, Plan, Plan– Regularly provide accurate, up to date information Regularly provide accurate, up to date information

with clear directives.with clear directives.– Develop planning relationships with local agencies Develop planning relationships with local agencies

such DHHS, Law Enforcement, Hospitals, Medical such DHHS, Law Enforcement, Hospitals, Medical Clinics, Schools, Businesses, etc.Clinics, Schools, Businesses, etc.

– Governmental bodies determine a priority list:Governmental bodies determine a priority list: Who receives treatment first? Healthcare workers, Who receives treatment first? Healthcare workers,

children, etc.children, etc. Vaccine, anti-viral meds, ventilators, etc.Vaccine, anti-viral meds, ventilators, etc.

Surviving the PandemicSurviving the Pandemic

Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health & Human Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health & Human Services warns that if the avian flu comes, we Services warns that if the avian flu comes, we shouldn’t count on help from the federal shouldn’t count on help from the federal government.government.

Plan, prepare: Plan, prepare: www.pandemicflu.govwww.pandemicflu.gov

Survival Stress Survival Stress

Reduce stress reactions by planningReduce stress reactions by planning– Stockpile food, water, medicines, household supplies Stockpile food, water, medicines, household supplies

for 3 months.for 3 months.– Save money in case your employment is closed.Save money in case your employment is closed.– Plan to be homebound for a period of time. Plan to be homebound for a period of time. – Communicate with others via phone, e-mail.Communicate with others via phone, e-mail.– Plan for displacement of family members.Plan for displacement of family members.– Prepare wills, living wills, & health care proxies.Prepare wills, living wills, & health care proxies.

Crisis ResponseCrisis Response

Critical Incident StressCritical Incident Stress– Dysfunctional families in crisisDysfunctional families in crisis– Accidents (More travel in cars than air or rail)Accidents (More travel in cars than air or rail)– ShootingsShootings– Sexual AssaultsSexual Assaults– SuicidesSuicides– DisastersDisasters– Fires/Floods Fires/Floods

Crisis ResponseCrisis Response

Understanding cognitive, behavioral, physical, and Understanding cognitive, behavioral, physical, and emotional reactions. What is normal; when do I need emotional reactions. What is normal; when do I need psychological help?psychological help?

The impact of info taken in through the 5 senses.The impact of info taken in through the 5 senses. Crisis Lines, talk about itCrisis Lines, talk about it Distribution of literatureDistribution of literature Video cameras via internetVideo cameras via internet Self care information via media sourcesSelf care information via media sources Distribution of goods, food, waterDistribution of goods, food, water

Grief & LossGrief & Loss

FuneralsFunerals– Done via video feed, internet?Done via video feed, internet?– More cremation?More cremation?– Support groups via conference calls, chat roomsSupport groups via conference calls, chat rooms

Communication NeedsCommunication Needs

Avoid isolationAvoid isolation Will our technology systems be adequate in case Will our technology systems be adequate in case

of overload?of overload? Work at home, personal communicationWork at home, personal communication Security of systemsSecurity of systems Crisis linesCrisis lines

Scarcity of ResourcesScarcity of Resources

PreparePrepare PrioritizePrioritize Contagion on transported goodsContagion on transported goods Fear, worry, anger, frustrationFear, worry, anger, frustration Instant gratification unlikelyInstant gratification unlikely Underground, black marketUnderground, black market BarterBarter

Cumulative StressCumulative Stress

One stressor after another or stressors running One stressor after another or stressors running concurrentlyconcurrently

Affects immune systemAffects immune system Affects coping abilityAffects coping ability DepressionDepression Survivor guiltSurvivor guilt Feeling overwhelmedFeeling overwhelmed

Any Positives?Any Positives?

Altruistic actsAltruistic acts Appreciation of life prior to pandemicAppreciation of life prior to pandemic Quality time with familiesQuality time with families Human resourcefulnessHuman resourcefulness ResiliencyResiliency Art, writing; documenting historyArt, writing; documenting history Lessons learnedLessons learned