Title: Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Disaster Anniversary Training
1Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training
ProgramDisaster Anniversary Training
2Objectives
- After training, participants will be able to
- Identify the key concepts of disaster
anniversaries. - Describe individual and community reactions.
- Apply individual and community intervention
strategies. - Identify at-risk populations and intervention
strategies.
3Objectives (cont.)
- After training, participants will be able to
(cont.) - Identify ways to partner with the community.
- Recognize the importance of culturally competent
strategies. - Apply strategies for managing their own stress.
- Organize and implement a plan for media
messaging.
4Table of Contents
- Section 1Disaster Anniversaries
- Section 2Disaster Anniversary Reactions
- Section 3Intervention Strategies
- Section 4Partnering with the Community
- Section 5Stress Management
- Section 6Media Messaging and Risk Communications
5Section 1Disaster Anniversaries
- Key Concepts
- Typical Phases of Disaster
6Key Concepts
- Disaster anniversaries are a time to
- Take stock of the accomplishments of the CCP.
- Reassess the needs of the community.
- Enhance and strengthen connections with community
stakeholders. - Continue creating educational materials and
community partnerships that promote resilience
and leave a legacy.
7Typical Phases of Disaster
Adapted from the Center for Mental Health
Services, 2000.
8Section 2Disaster Anniversary Reactions
- Key Concepts
- Anniversary Triggers
- Individual Reactions
- Community Reactions
9Key Concepts
- While every disaster is different, there are some
disaster reactions, related to the anniversary,
that can be anticipated. - As the disaster anniversary approaches, there may
be an increase in the distressing reactions of
some survivors. - There will be a need for updated educational
materials and media messages related to the
disaster anniversary.
10Key Concepts (cont.)
- Anniversaries are a time to mourn losses
associated with the disaster. - Anniversaries are a time to reflect.
- Anniversaries allow individuals and communities
to benchmark resilience and healing. - Each community may perceive the anniversary
differently. - Each community will decide how it will observe
the anniversary. -
11Anniversary Triggers
- Disaster anniversaries often trigger reactions in
survivors. - Typical triggers include
- Media accounts of the anniversary.
- Seasonal changes that remind survivors of the
disaster. - Personal events, such as birthdays, that
correspond with the disaster anniversary. - Personal losses associated with the disaster,
including loved ones, pets, and property.
12Anniversary Triggers (cont.)
- Triggers
- May increase in frequency around the time of the
disaster anniversary. - Can occur unexpectedly.
- Are unique to each person.
- May not be easily recognized.
- Can ebb and flow.
- Tend to occur more often when stress is present.
13Individual Reactions
- Thoughts, feelings, dreams, and memories
associated with the event - Grief and sadness
- Fear and anxiety
- Frustration, anger, and guilt
14Individual Reactions (cont.)
- Avoidance
- Remembrance
- Reflection
- Restlessness
- Complicated bereavement
- Gallows humor
15Individual Reactions (cont.)
- Increased readiness and desire for group crisis
counseling among survivors. - Deepened anxiety or depression, acting as
limitations, as the new reality of life after
disaster sets in. - While every disaster is different, there are some
anniversary reactions that can be anticipated - Anger around the limits of governmental
assistance and insurance (e.g., the system,
red tape) - Increased substance use
- Evolution of unaddressed trauma into diagnosable
conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder
or depression - Stress from financial hardship as resources run
out
16Community Reactions
- Increased number of preparedness activities
- Resurgence of media and political attention
- Community solidarity or discord
- Increased demand for CCP services because the
anniversary is triggering reactions
17Section 3Intervention Strategies
- Intervention Strategies for Individuals
- Intervention Strategies for the Community
- Intervention Strategies for Special Populations
18Intervention Strategies for Individuals
- Educate survivors about common reactions.
- Acknowledge and discuss unresolved issues and
feelings. - Explain how the anniversary can be an opportunity
for healing. - Help survivors reflect on life changes.
- Use the anniversary as a catalyst to engage
survivors in practical problem solving. - Provide educational materials for survivors.
19Intervention Strategies for the Community
- Plan for increased demand for services.
- Schedule more frequent staff meetings to engage
in anniversary planning, and provide staff
support. - Participate in community gatherings and rituals
by maintaining a compassionate presence at these
events. - Prepare press kits and media messaging.
- Create a calendar of events for staff, survivors,
and media.
20Intervention Strategies for the Community (cont.)
- Reestablish contact with community groups and
leaders. - Prepare and distribute public educational
materials that address anniversary reactions and
triggers. - Increase distribution of informational materials
to community groups and partners. - Ensure that the helpline has added capacity.
21Intervention Strategies for Special Populations
- Children and youth
- Anticipate reminders, and help children recognize
and cope with them. - Let children acknowledge the anniversary in their
own way. - Be honest with children about adult reactions and
concerns. - Limit exposure to traumatic images in the media.
- Provide opportunities for children to make
positive differences in their lives and
communities. - Discuss concerns about children with teachers and
other support professionals.
22Intervention Strategies for Special Populations
(cont.)
- Other populations
- Target materials for identified special
populations in the community. - Educate caregivers on anniversary reactions.
- Encourage and facilitate participation in
community anniversary events.
23Section 4Partnering with the Community
- Typical Partners
- Community Partnerships
- Cultural Competence Strategies
24Typical Partners
25Community Partnerships
- Engage new and existing partners to assist with
the following community intervention strategies - Take part in community-planned rituals.
- Help survivors take control and plan events.
- Help survivors put feelings into artifacts.
- Encourage survivors to reinvest in the community.
26Community Partnerships (cont.)
- Engage new and existing partners to assist with
the following community intervention strategies - Help survivors develop new goals.
- Strategize around media messaging.
- Add capacity to the helpline.
- Ensure that cultural
- diversity issues
- are addressed.
27Cultural Competence Strategies
- Recognize the importance of culture, and respect
diversity. - Recognize the role of help-seeking, customs,
traditions, and support networks. - Communicate with cultural brokers, especially in
relation to anniversary reactions and rituals.
28Cultural Competence Strategies (cont.)
- Update the program profile of the cultural
composition of the community. - Ensure that services are accessible, appropriate,
and equitable. - Reassess and reevaluate the cultural competence
of programming and staff. - Ensure that educational and informational
materials are culturally competent.
29Section 5Stress Management
- Stress Management for Staff
- Definition of Stress
- Typical Stressors for Crisis Counselors
- Warning Signs of Excessive Stress
- Organizational Approaches to Stress Management
- Individual Approaches to Stress Management
30Stress Management for Staff
- Staff members may be survivors themselves.
- Everyone who experiences a disaster is affected
by it in some way. - Stress reactions are likely to increase for staff
and community partners - Staff have been dealing with the disaster
aftermath for a long period of time. - Staff may be overworked.
31Definition of Stress
- Stress is a response to a challenge or threat.
- Stress is tension, strain, or pressure that
requires people to use, adapt, or develop new
coping skills. - Stress can be positive or negative.
- Perception plays a key role in interpreting
stressful situations. - An optimum level of stress can act as a
motivational force.
32Typical Stressors for Crisis Counselors
- Repeatedly hearing survivors stories
- Approaching survivors who may reject your help
- Feeling overwhelmed by the sadness of others
- Feeling helpless to alleviate the pain of others
- Experiencing trigger events
- Experiencing anniversary reactions
- Working long hours
- Personal experience with the disaster
33Warning Signs of Excessive Stress
- You cannot shake distressing images from your
mind. - Work consumes you at the expense of family and
friends. - You experience an increase in substance use or
abuse. - You are excessively irritable and impatient.
- You exhibit other serious or severe reactions.
34Organizational Approaches to Stress Management
- A clearly defined management and supervision
structure - Clearly defined purpose and goals that are
articulated frequently - Functionally defined roles that are reinforced
through effective supervision - Sound clinical consultation, support, and
supervision - Supportive peer relationships
- An active stress management program
- A comprehensive training plan
35Individual Approaches to Stress Management
- Self-awareness
- Management of workload
- Balanced lifestyle
- Stress reduction techniques
- Effective supervision and training
- Participation in rituals
- Activity
- Update your personal stress management plan.
36Section 6Media Messaging and Risk Communications
- Reassessing the Media Plan
- Developing Talking Points
- Reconnecting with Media Partners
37Reassessing the Media Plan
- Convene a meeting of the CCP leadership and other
partners to - Identify spokespeople with expertise in the field
of disaster behavioral health and experience in
dealing with the media. - Develop simple talking points that reflect the
goals and services of the CCP - Develop a press kit with information on the CCP
and materials related to disaster anniversary
issues.
38Developing Talking Points
- Important things to consider when developing
talking points - Services remain available through the CCP.
- The CCP provides information on typical disaster
anniversary reactions. - The CCP emphasizes resilience and hope.
- Cultural diversity is respected.
- If appropriate, and while maintaining
confidentiality, highlight stories of people who
have been helped by the CCP.
39Reconnecting with Media Partners
- Using pre-identified spokespeople
- Promote a shared understanding of the anniversary
message. - Deliver a clear message regarding anniversary
issues and the CCP. - Promote the services of the CCP, such as the
helpline, ongoing individual and group crisis
counseling, public education, and assessment and
referral. - Share information on typical disaster anniversary
reactions and important talking points.
40SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center
- SAMHSA DTAC supports SAMHSAs efforts to prepare
States, Territories, and local entities to
deliver an effective behavioral health response
during disasters. - Toll-Free 1-800-308-3515
- E-Mail dtac_at_esi-dc.com
- Web www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/dtac