From the Clay County Collaborative…

STRESS REACTIONS and COPING TOOLS for DISASTER
Disaster affects people in a variety of ways. All of these responses are normal reactions to an abnormal situation, which can persist for weeks after the disaster.

Disaster can affect you physically
Changes in appetite and digestive problems. Difficulty in sleeping. Fatigue and lack of energy.
Headaches. Other aches and pains. Allergies and sinus problems. Colds and flu.

Disaster can affect you emotionally
Irritability and anger. Feeling down or depressed. Apathy. Suspiciousness. Crying for no apparent
Reason. Frustration. Feeling powerless over the future. Feeling overwhelmed. Moodiness. Irritability.
Anxiety about the future. Guilt. Rejection of others’ help. Isolation from friends and family.

Disaster can affect your children
Clinging to parent. Reluctance to go to bed. Nightmares. Enactment of the disaster in play. Crying.
Withdrawal. Refusal to leave home. Problems at school or child care. Inability to concentrate.

COPING TOOLS FOR MANAGING DISASTER-RELATED STRESS

Remember the 3 R’s
Rest
Take time to sleep or rest.
Take time to relax with friends and family.
Remember that taking care of yourself gives you the energy necessary to take care of others.

Routine
Being in a routine is comforting to mind and body, and especially helpful for children.
Even with changing circumstances, having a routine for meals and rest is important.

Relationships
Spend time with others. Talk about your feelings. Others probably experience the same feelings.
Help others in your community. Ask your friends and neighbors how they are doing.
Be tolerant of irritability, poor concentration, and other common reactions to stress.
Maintain a friendly attitude – a smile can go a long way to brightening someone’s day.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I GO FOR HELP?
Seek help when:
Symptoms are highly debilitating or life-threatening (persistent hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, disorientation, extreme emotional reactions, self-neglect).
Symptoms worsen over time, or persist at a high level for over a month.
Other life circumstances intensify stress (loss of a loved one, divorce, financial crisis).

Local Mental Health Phone resources:
FirstLink- 701-235-7335 or call 2-1-1 for Information, Referral or Crisis Management Services. These numbers are FREE, confidential, 24/7 and also available for supportive listening.
Clay County Mental Health 24 hour Crisis Line- 1-800-223-4512
Clay County Social Services for Information and Referral- 218-299-5200 or toll free at 1-800-757-3880
Clay County Public Health for Information and Referral- 218-299-5220
Spirituality resources: Contact your faith community clergy/support staff for guidance

On Line Resources for Mental and Behavioral Health:

American Red Cross- http://redcross.org

Minnesota Department of Health- http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/emergency/natural/floods/index.html

North Dakota Department of Health- http://www.ndhealth.gov/flood/

University of Minnesota Extension- http://www.extension.umn.edu/Family/

North Dakota State University Extension- http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/family

Firstlink- http://www.myfirstlink.org

Red River Resilience- http://www.redriverresilience.com

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration- http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/katrina/pubs.asp

American Psychological Association- http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/disaster/index.aspx

National Child Traumatic Stress Network- http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/

Center for Disease Control, Trauma and Disaster Mental Health Resources- http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth

Mental Health America- http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/

Additional On-Line Flood Resources:

Clay County- http://www.co.clay.mn.us/

City of Moorhead- http://www.ci.moorhead.mn.us/Flood/

National Weather Service- http://www.weather.gov/

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