Things to Remember When Trying to Understand Disaster Events:
· No one who sees a disaster is untouched by it.
· It is normal to feel anxious about your own and your family's safety.
· Profound sadness, grief, and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event.
· Acknowledging our feelings helps us recover.
· Focusing on your strengths and abilities will help you to heal.
· Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy.
· We each have different needs and different ways of coping.
· It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused great pain. However, nothing good is accomplished by hateful language or actions.

Possible Reactions to Disaster and Trauma:
· Difficulty communicating thoughts
· Difficulty sleeping
· Easily frustrated
· Increased use of drugs/alcohol
· Limited attention span
· Poor work performance
· Headaches/stomach problems
· Tunnel vision/muffled hearing
· Colds or flu-like symptoms.
· Disorientation or confusion
· Difficulty concentrating
· Reluctance to leave home
· Depression, sadness
· Fear of crowds, strangers, or being alone

Ways to Ease the Stress:
· Talk with someone about your feelings– anger, sorrow, and other emotions-- even though it may be difficult.
· Don't hold yourself responsible for the disastrous event or be frustrated because you feel that you cannot help directly in the rescue work.
· Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by staying active in your daily life patterns or by adjusting them. This healthy outlook will help yourself and your family. (i.e. healthy eating, rest, exercise, relaxation, meditation.)
· Maintain a normal household and daily routine, limiting demanding responsibilities of yourself and your family.
· Spend time with family and friends.
· Participate in memorials, rituals, and use of symbols as a way to express feelings.
· Use existing support groups such as family, friends, and church.
· Establish a family emergency plan. Feeling that there is something that you can do can be very comforting.

When to Seek Outside Help:
If self help strategies are not working, or you find that you or certain family members are using drugs/alcohol or resorting to other unhealthy behaviors in order to cope, you may wish to seek outside or professional assistance for the stress symptoms.

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For more information, link to:
DHHS - Coping Tips_for_Families and Professionals
American Red Cross - Helping Young Children Cope with Trauma
American Red Cross - Disaster_Planning_Information
3-Day Emergency Kit Checklist
PETA - Disaster_Planning_for_Your_Pets

Spanish language versions:
American Red Cross - "Por Que Me Siento Asi?"
American Red Cross - "Como Ayudar a los Ninos a Enfrentar Traumas"
American Red Cross - "Su Plan para el Hogar en caso de Desastres"