Disasters and Mental Health 500 Words or more
Disasters and emergencies are stressful for many people including survivors, families, rescue workers, communities, etc. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2017), “When people experience a disaster, they may experience a variety of reactions, many of which are natural responses to difficult situations.”
Discussion Questions:
Considering the Simulation Exercise Explosion in Bobsville, please answer the following questions:
- What could be the potential psychological consequences of this traumatic event for Bobsville and General County residents?
- What are the potential planning interventions that public health, hospitals, and elected leaders should be looking at to support the mental health needs of the citizens?
- Are there any particular concerns or immediate issues related to children’s mental health in this disaster situation?
- Are there any particular concerns or immediate issues related to first responsders’ mental health in this disaster situation?
Examples below:
1) What could be the potential psychological consequences of this traumatic event for Bobsville and General County residents?
Potential psychological consequences of the traumatic simulation event in Bobsville could include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to seeing and experiencing such a traumatic event, depression, anxiety disorders, sleep disorder, dissociation, substance abuse, low self-esteem and self-worth due to feelings of blame, shame, or guilt, trust and relationship difficulties, emotional trauma due to losing a loved one, friends, or family, cognitive difficulties, etc. These are common reactions to trauma and people may even experience physical and emotional reactions.
All of these psychological consequences can range and vary from person to person, the best thing to remember is that seeking professional help from specialized mental health practitioners can be beneficial in addressing and managing these difficulties.
2) What are the potential planning interventions that public health, hospitals, and elected leaders should be looking at to support the mental health needs of the citizens?
It’s tough to find solely “1 solution” so I think it would be a lot of innovative ideas/changes coming together to collectively make a positive impact: There needs to be some advocacy for policy changes about insurance coverage that prioritizes mental health services, increased mental health funding and availability for ALL PEOPLE (regardless of insurance status), improving accessibility and availability of clinics (including virtual clinics), promoting mental health education and awareness to reduce a “negative” stigma about mental health in churches, schools, workplaces, community centers, media platforms, etc. continually train and educate healthcare professionals and integrate mental health into primary care, establish crisis intervention centers that provide assessments and referrals instead of people having to visit the Emergency Department.
3) Are there any particular concerns or immediate issues related to children’s mental health in this disaster situation?
Yes, traumatic stress due to the chaos of the disaster including what they have seen, smelled, heard, felt, etc. Separation or isolation of family members, anxiety and stress of not knowing what is going on can induce fear, flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, etc. Loss of homes, people, family members, can cause a sense of insecurity and lack of safety, all of which can cause a disruption of normal life events such as school, church, social interactions, sports, and can cause significant emotional distress. In this mock scenario the children may also be injured or sick due to the unknown substances and materials, which in itself is also scary and can impact mental health and well-being.
4) Are there any particular concerns or immediate issues related to first responders’ mental health in this disaster situation?
Absolutely, witnessing human suffering, loss of life, and severe injuries can cause PTSD from the disaster, not to mention physical health consequences such as pain, limitations, mental health challenges, burnout, compassion fatigue, sleep disturbances, relationship strains, work related stress and pressure to continue even when they need a break and/or to not seek help because they fear being categorized as “weak.” Loss of sleep can cause nightmares, emotional numbing, “withdrawing” and emotional exhaustion. I’m grateful that there is psychological first aid available to first responders, which promotes safety while connecting individuals to help and resources they may need.
The potential psychological ramifications of this traumatic event for the residents of Bobsville and General County may have considerable implications. The individuals residing in the area may exhibit signs of acute stress reaction, characterized by heightened levels of fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance. Individuals may also exhibit symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as experiencing intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and actively avoiding stimuli that serve as reminders of the traumatic event. The experience of trauma can also give rise to emotions such as grief, sadness, and a sense of loss, as numerous individuals within the community may have suffered the loss of loved ones or their residences. The community may experience a rise in the prevalence of depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Persistent anxiety and concerns regarding the potential long-term consequences of radiation exposure can give rise to fear and uncertainty, leading to ongoing distress and health-related apprehensions.
It is imperative for public health officials, hospitals, and elected officials to give utmost importance to implementing various planning interventions that cater to the mental health requirements of the population. Primary and foremost, it is imperative to ensure the accessibility of mental health services and resources within the community. This entails the provision of adequate training and support for mental health professionals, as well as the establishment of crisis helplines or hotlines. It is recommended that public education campaigns be initiated with the purpose of disseminating information to residents regarding prevalent responses to traumatic events and the support services that are accessible to them. Community support groups or counseling sessions can be effectively arranged to cultivate resilience and establish a secure environment for individuals to openly express their experiences and emotions. In addition, it is imperative to furnish precise and uniform information regarding radiation hazards and precautionary measures in order to mitigate apprehension and foster confidence in governing bodies.
In the context of this calamitous event, there exist distinct apprehensions and pressing matters pertaining to the mental well-being of children. Children may potentially encounter heightened challenges in the cognitive processing and comprehension of the incident, resulting in elevated levels of anxiety and fear. The experience of being separated from one’s parents or guardians during the incident can potentially result in traumatic consequences and increased levels of distress. The prioritization of reuniting children with their families should be emphasized, alongside the implementation of efforts to offer therapeutic support aimed at assisting them in managing the psychological impact of their experiences. It is imperative that educational institutions provide accessible mental health resources to assist students in their recovery and facilitate the resumption of their daily routines. Furthermore, it is possible to create educational materials and activities that are suitable for children’s age groups, which can aid in their comprehension of the event and facilitate emotional regulation.
In the context of this disaster scenario, it is important to acknowledge that first responders, encompassing emergency medical services (EMS), fire personnel, and law enforcement officials, are susceptible to substantial mental health consequences. Individuals may potentially encounter a variety of responses, including survivor guilt, traumatic stress, and moral injury. The implementation of proactive mental health support for first responders is of utmost importance, encompassing various strategies such as peer support programs, regular mental health check-ins, and the provision of confidential counseling services. It is imperative to establish open channels of communication in order to foster an environment where first responders feel encouraged to express their emotions and seek assistance when necessary. It is imperative to offer training programs that enable individuals to identify indicators of mental distress in both themselves and their colleagues. Additionally, organizational leadership plays a crucial role in cultivating an environment that prioritizes psychological well-being and provides adequate support.
References:
American Psychological Association. (2017). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Brymer, M., Jacobs, M., Layne, C., Pynoos, R., Ruzek, J., Steinberg, A., … &Vernberg, E. (2006). Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide (2nd ed.). National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series: First Responders. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
What could be the potential psychological consequences of this traumatic event for Bobsville and General County residents?
Residents could initially go into shock over the traumatic event. Traumatic shock can cause a person to go into a dissociative state of being (Gupta, 2022). Another psychological consequence could be PTSD, which is post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can happen after a person experiences a traumatic event, triggers of the event lead a person to feel fear and go into ‘fight or flight’ mode (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).
What are the potential planning interventions that public health, hospitals, and elected leaders should be looking at to support the mental health needs of the citizens?
They should set up a crisis line where people can call in and have someone to talk to and to counsel them, which could help them process the event. They should also have onsite therapy, counseling and religious services.
Are there any particular concerns or immediate issues related to children’s mental health in this disaster situation?
Yes, children can be affected mentally by disasters as well. Children may experience anxiety, nightmares, sadness and fear. They are more prone to mental health issues due to lack of understanding the event, the lack of control, and less experience in dealing with bad situations (CDC, 2020).
Are there any particular concerns or immediate issues related to first responders’ mental health in this disaster situation.
Yes, first responders are at in increased risk of mental health issues due to exposure to high stress environments.
-Michelle
CDC, (2020, December 18). Children’s Mental Health & Disasters | CDC. Cdc. https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/features/disasters-mental-health.html#:~:text=Your%20Child%20Is%20At%20Risk%20for%20Mental%20Health%20Issues%20After%20a%20Disaster,-Your%20Child%20Is&text=After%20a%20disaster%2C%20children%20may,difficulty%20concentrating%2C%20and%20anger%20outbursts.
Gupta, S. (2022, December 15). Traumatic Shock: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Verywellmind. https://www.verywellmind.com/traumatic-shock-definition-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-5214469
National Institute of Mental Health, (2021, June 30). NIMH » Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Nimh. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
- Any type of traumatic event can cause many psychological consequences for all parties involved, not just the victims. The people of Bobsville have been bombed. Attacked from what appeared to them like it came out of nowhere. There will absolutely be anxiety and panic among many residents in General County because they’re going to feel on edge. It’ll be a tough road to recovery to feel the comfort and safety they had before the explosion. Potential psychological consequences can include panic disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder.
2. Planning interventions in public health, hospitals, and elected leaders should support the mental health needs of citizens by making mental health treatment easily accessible. There should be enough money budgeted to keep the costs friendly. Mental health services should also be covered by insurance. The purpose is to make treatment easy for people suffering from mental health disorders, not provide them with more problems.
3. There are absolute concerns related to a child’s mental health due to the bombing. If a traumatic event happens to a child, that incident could interrupt their brain’s development which can cause some serious functional impairments (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (September 2017)). Without treatment early on, in the developmental stage, their issues will be harder to treat as an adult.
4. There are mental health concerns for first responders because they have continuous exposure to traumatic events. Although their brains are past the age of maximum development, continuous exposure to traumatic events could induce mental health disorders. I think it’d be best for all types of first responders to receive ongoing mental health treatment, even if they think they don’t need it.
Source:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (September 2017). Child Welfare Information Gateway. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/braindevtrauma.pdf.
