WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
People lose homes, loved ones, businesses, and sometimes their entire way of life
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
People may lose homes, loved ones, businesses, and sometimes their entire way of life.
Alleviating Anguish After natural disasters
by mobilizing the power of volunteering to restore emotional health
Devastation – ShOCK – Displacement
In the wake of a natural disaster, the idea of life ever getting back to normal can seem impossible. People have lost their homes, businesses, loved ones and sometimes even an entire way of life. Recovery often doesn’t occur as quickly as we think it should and getting back into a regular routine can be difficult as people struggle with the financial and emotional repercussions they have been dealt.
Alleviating Anguish After natural disasters
by mobilizing the power of volunteering to restore emotional health
Devastation – ShOCK – Displacement
In the wake of a natural disaster, the idea of life ever getting back to normal can seem impossible. People have lost their homes, businesses, loved ones and sometimes even an entire way of life. Recovery often doesn’t occur as quickly as we think it should and getting back into a regular routine can be difficult as people struggle with the financial and emotional repercussions they have been dealt.
Immediate needs after a disaster
Children and the elderly are the two groups most at risk following a natural disaster as they experience more trauma than other age groups. Children in particular internalize the fear from a natural disaster very deeply, which can result in nightmares, flashbacks, and trouble behaving in school. Symptoms such as these should be closely monitored as they can eventually lead to depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Immediate needs after a disaster
Children and the elderly are the two groups most at risk following a natural disaster as they experience more trauma than other age groups. Children in particular internalize the fear from a natural disaster very deeply, which can result in nightmares, flashbacks and trouble behaving in school. Symptoms such as these should be closely monitored as they can eventually lead to depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Short term effects
The short term mental and emotional effects of a natural disaster differ from person to person. Individuals may struggle with dealing with loss of livelihood, loss of their home, chaos and debris surrounding them in the immediate aftermath and the debilitating fear that can follow in the wake of a natural disaster.
Short term effects
The short term mental and emotional effects of a natural disaster differ from person to person. Individuals may struggle with dealing with loss of livelihood, loss of their home, chaos and debris surrounding them in the immediate aftermath and the debilitating fear that can follow in the wake of a natural disaster
long Term Effects
The long term effects of a natural disaster can range from coping with the loss of loved ones to dealing with emotional trauma such as depression and PTSD. Studies have shown an increase in stress, mental illness and increased suicide risk among individuals who have lived through a natural disaster. Particularly for children, traumatic events such as a natural disaster that are experienced during childhood can have negative effects into the future, such as increased substance use, depression, heart disease and cancer.
long Term Effects
The long term effects of a natural disaster can range from coping with the loss of loved ones to dealing with emotional trauma such as depression and PTSD. Studies have shown an increase in stress, mental illness and increased suicide risk among individuals who have lived through a natural disaster. Particularly for children, traumatic events such as a natural disaster that are experienced during childhood can have negative effects into the future, such as increased substance use, depression, heart disease and cancer.
Restoration
Particularly in areas with limited resources, recovery progress from a natural disaster can often be slow. If financial resources are limited, individuals can still help with recovery without donating money. Volunteering in the community and donating time and skills are all valuable contributions. Helping clear debris, cooking food at shelters and moving rescue supplies are all activities that do not require financial donations. Volunteering in the wake of a natural disaster can even help individuals seize new opportunities, whether they be educational or employment based through new relationships in the volunteer community.
Restoration
Particularly in areas with limited resources, recovery progress from a natural disaster can often be slow. If financial resources are limited, individuals can still help with recovery without donating money. Volunteering in the community and donating time and skills are all valuable contributions. Helping clear debris, cooking food at shelters and moving rescue supplies are all activities that do not require financial donations. Volunteering in the wake of a natural disaster can even help individuals seize new opportunities, whether they be educational or employment based through new relationships in the volunteer community.
Addressing Emotional Needs
All aspects of recovery from a natural disaster take time. It can take years for individuals to recover financially and emotionally. An important part of recovery is allowing time to mourn and to process and experience grief; for lost loved ones, lost businesses, lost homes and a lost way of life.
Addressing Emotional Needs
All aspects of recovery from a natural disaster take time. It can take years for individuals to recover financially and emotionally. An important part of recovery is allowing time to mourn and to process and experience grief; for lost loved ones, lost businesses, lost homes and a lost way of life.
