disaster mental health public health seattle & king county
TRANSCRIPT
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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 friend’s 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
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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
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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 what’s happening Clear purpose and goals Define roles by function
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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
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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:– (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
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Web Resources:
http://www.workplacementalhealth.org/resources.htm
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/