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Coping After Disaster
See APA blog - Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves
If you are experiencing a crisis, the resources below are available to help now:
Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Textline Chat online with Lifeline
Text TALK to 741741
Following a disaster, most people will ultimately do well and return to their previous level of functioning. However, many people will initially experience distressing thoughts, feelings, and physical symptoms and may engage in risky behaviors to help cope.
Traumatic events are not easy for anyone to comprehend or accept. Understandably, many children feel frightened and confused. Fortunately, most children, even those exposed to trauma, are quite resilient. Parents, teachers and caring adults can help by listening and responding in an honest, consistent and supportive manner.
There are steps that individuals can take for themselves and their families to reduce negative effects and improve their ability to function at home, work, and school. This page features resources that can assist in coping with disasters and other traumatic events.
Additional Resources
Reactions to Trauma; Recognizing Signs
Coping/Managing Stress
Coping/Recovery – Specific Circumstances
Dealing with Grief
Apps for managing stress:
- Breath2Relax – Provides information on deep breathing exercises for calming and reducing anxiety and a tool for tracking your activity and progress. From the U.S. Department of Defense.
- Mindfulness Coach – Provides training in mindfulness to help with stress and relaxation as well as a variety of voice-guided practice sessions. It also has the ability for users to track their own progress. From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Virtual Hope Box – Provides guided relaxation techniques, tools for enhanced coping, games, and inspirational thoughts. From the U.S. Department of Defense.
- PTSD Coach - Provides users with information about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including educational resources, information about professional care, a self-assessment tool, opportunities to find support, and tools to help manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD. From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additional Information
Physician Review By:
Joshua C. Morganstein, M.D.
November 2019