Disaster Mental Health

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Disaster Mental Health

• Public Health Seattle King County

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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

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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 friends traumatic
  experience

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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

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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

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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

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What are Normal Responses to Traumatic Events?
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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

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Behavioral Changes

• Change in appetite (more or less than usual)
• Increased substance use
• Interpersonal conflict

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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

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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

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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

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Individual Ways of Managing Stress

• Exercise
• Eat well and avoid junk food, caffeine or alcohol
• Get adequate sleep and rest

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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

15
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 dont watch or read them

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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

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Organizational Ways to Lessen Stress During an
Event

• Clear chain of command
• Available supervisors
• Shifts of no more than 12 hours
• Regular briefing on whats happening
• Clear purpose and goals
• Define roles by function

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Develop a Management Plan for Stress

• Frequently assess workers functioning
• Encourage breaks
• Educate about signs of stress and coping
  strategies
• Facilitate access to individual and group
  counseling

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Available Resources for Public Health Staff

• Employee Assistance Program
• http//www.metrokc.gov/ohrm/OtherBenefits/mle.htm

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Community Resources

• 24-hour Crisis Line
• [phone], 1-866-4CRISIS
• Community Information Line
• (M-F 8am-6pm) [phone], 1-800-621-INFO
• Seattle Chapter of American Red Cross
• [phone] , Web site http//www.seattleredcr
  oss.org/
• Local churches

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Web Resources

• http//www.workplacementalhealth.org/resources.htm
  
• http//www.nimh.nih.gov/