EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

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Adolescents ages 12 and older

Teens show symptoms more like those of adults, including flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbing, depression, substance abuse, and antisocial behavior. They may also feel extreme guilt because of a failure to prevent injury or loss of life. If your child is having trouble coping, please do not hesitate to seek assistance from your family physician, County Mental Health office or Behavioral Health Management Care Organization.

When preparing for an emergency situation:

We can all be better prepared for an emergency or a disaster. Being prepared can help to prevent panic and helps individuals to gain a sense of control over the situation. 

  • Be familiar with local radio/television stations to receive the latest information;

  •  Prepare a disaster relief kit. Be sure to include a radio, batteries, flashlights, food, water, emergency phone numbers, physician's name and contact information, and any necessary medication;

  •  Review evacuation routes listed in the phone book;

  •  Keep a list of emergency phone posted near the phone for easy access.


"We thank all of the  many volunteers, first responders, and other organizations that prepare  for and are activated in a  disaster, providing help and assistance to victims and 
their families.

 

Resources

American Red Cross
866.438.4636
www.redcross.org/services/
disaster/beprepared

Center for Mental Health Services
800.789.2647
www.mentalhealth.org

Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) site for children
202.566.1600
www.fema.org/kids

National Alliance for
the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
800-223-0500
800.890.6093 (TTY)
namipa.nami.org

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
www.pema.state.pa.us

Pennsylvania Mental Health
Consumers Association
800.887.6422  
www.pmhca.org

Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security
www.homelandsecurity.state.pa.us

Parents Involved Network
800.688.4226 ext. 214
www.pinofpa.org

Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services,
Bureau of Consumer and Family Affairs:
877.356.5355
TTY: 717.705.8268

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
800 311-3435
www.cdc.gov

 

Disasters can be frightening events for all of us. Since September 11, 2001, many people are dealing with stress that is affecting their ability to feel healthy.

When problems seem to be getting worse

Emotional and physical reactions to disasters and emergencies are normal. For many people these reactions are short-lived, but for some, they seem to go on without end. It is a good idea to seek professional help if you feel your reaction to a disaster is lasting too long or getting progressively worse instead of better. Talk to someone you trust, such as your family doctor, spiritual advisor, or a trained counselor.

Should you or anyone you know feel like hurting themselves or others, or if you are relying on alcohol or drugs to cope, contact a local mental health crisis center, or your behavioral health managed care organization immediately.

People feel and express their emotions to a crisis, disaster, or emergency differently. It is important to:

• Understand normal reactions to stress; 

• Identify ways to deal with stress;

• Identify if you or your family members need some help in dealing with the stress and;

• Prepare for future disasters or emergencies.

Emotional Reactions:

• Feel very nervous, helpless, fearful, sad, or angry
• Feel hopeless about the future
• Feel detached or unconcerned about others
• Feel numb and unable to experience love or joy
• Be irritable or have outbursts of anger
• Become easily upset or agitated
• Have frequent distressing dreams or memories
• Avoid people, places, and things related to the disaster
• Have trouble concentrating
• Feel things are unreal

Physical Reactions:

• Have an upset stomach, experience a change in eating habits, or develop other gastrointestinal problems
• Experience a pounding heart, rapid breathing, sweating, or severe headache when thinking about the disaster
• Have difficulty sleeping
• Be jumpy and startle easily at sudden noises
• Have a worsening of chronic medical problems
• Be exhausted

Finding ways to cope with stress

There are a number of ways you can help yourself

• Take care of yourself. Remember to H-A-L-T. Don't get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.

• Elevated levels of stress can lead to physical problems, such as increased risk of heart attack
 or stroke, gastrointestinal conditions, and make others-- like diabetes and arthritis-- harder to manage. If you are under a doctor's care, be sure to keep your appointments and take medications as prescribed.  

• Regular exercise and activities may help youto relieve stress and cope in a healthy way.  
• Refrain from drinking alcohol or using other substances to numb the emotional feelings you are experiencing. People with alcohol and substance abuse problems are more likely than others to develop more serious problems after a disaster.

Help for Children

A child's reaction to a crisis, disaster, or emergency will depend on his or her age, whether he or she has experienced trauma in the past, and how involved he or she was in the event. After a traumatic event, children may lose their trust in adults and fear the event occurring again. Other reactions may vary according to age.

Children ages five and younger

Typical reactions include fear of being separated from a parent, fear of the dark, increased crying, clinging to a parent, and a return to younger behavior, such as thumb-sucking and bed-wetting.

Children ages six to 11

Common responses may include withdrawal, disruptive behavior, trouble paying attention, avoidance of school, sleep problems, irritability, outbursts of anger and stomach aches.

 

 

NAMI PA Contacts:
1-800-223-0500 1-717-238-1514 TTY: 1-800-890-6093 1-717-238-3593

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