Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR TRAUMAS & DISASTERS
On this Page
- Disaster Distress Helpline
- Information for Individuals
- Information for Parents and Families
- Information for Teachers and Schools
- Information for Responders
- Information for Health Professionals
- Information for States and Local Health Department
- Effects of Stress
- Suicide Prevention
- Coping during Specific Types of Emergencies
- Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
- Other Resources
The effects of a disaster, terrorist attack, or other public health emergency can be long-lasting, and the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster. This page provides general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience that were developed by various organizations based on experiences in prior disasters.
Disaster Distress Helpline
- If you are experiencing signs of distress as a result of a disaster, the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, year-round crisis counseling and support.
- Call 1-800-985-5990
- TTY for deaf/hearing impaired: 1-800-846-8517
- Text TalkWithUs to 66746
Information for Individuals
- Coping With a Traumatic Event
How to deal with the stress that can result from a traumatic event - Video: Coping with a Traumatic Event
- Coping with Stress
- Self Care Tips for Dealing with Stress
Stress management & how to ease stress from SAMHSA, HHS - Preventing Violence after a Natural Disaster
- Maintain a Healthy State of Mind
Developed in partnership with the American Red Cross this site provides information for parents and caregivers, middle school students, high school students, adults and seniors. - After the Storm - Tips for Adult Healthy Relationships
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese - After the Storm - Tips for Adults
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese - SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline
1-800-985-5990 (TTY for deaf/hearing impaired: 1-800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746
Information for Parents and Families
- Helping Parents Prepare for a Disaster [PDF - 360 KB]
- Helping Parents Cope with a Disaster [PDF - 141 KB]
- Tips for Talking to Children and Youth
Information based on brochure developed by Project Heartland from SAMHSA, HHS - Back-to-School Preparedness (Podcast)
Parents, when it’s back-to-school time, learn how to take a few extra steps to help children be prepared for emergencies. Get prepared and have a great school year. - Helping Families Deal With the Stress of Relocation After a Disaster
Helping family members deal with relocation stress from ATSDR - Helping Teenagers With Stress
General information From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear & Anxiety
Pointers from The Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign from SAMHSA, HHS - Children and the News
General information From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Helping Age-specific Interventions at Home for Children in Trauma
From Preschool to Adolescence from SAMHSA, HHS - After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Children
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese - After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Youth
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese
Information for Teachers and Schools
- Tips for Talking About Disasters
Resources for Teachers, Children, Adults, Families & Response Workers from SAMHSA, HHS - Tips for Talking to Children and Youth
Resources for Teachers, Children, Adults, Families & Response Workers from SAMHSA, HHS - Information about School Violence
Information for Responders
- Disaster Mental Health for Responders: Key Principles, Issues and Questions
Responders needs, reactions, symptoms in a disaster... - Field Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters
Resources from SAMHSA, HHS - Self-Care Tips for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers
Signs that you need stress management assistance & ways to help manage stress from SAMHSA, HHS - Surviving Field Stress for First Responders
Webcast. Describes stress, coping with field related stress, and information for families of responders...... - Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Emergency Response Workers
How to take care of yourself onsite & at home; developed by the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH), CDC
Information for Health Professionals
- Coping With a Traumatic Event
How to help patients cope with a traumatic event - American Psychiatric Association: Disaster Psychiatry
Features publications on disaster psychiatry as well as recommendations for broader involvement of psychiatrists in disaster work. - Psychological First Aid: Helping People Cope During Disasters and Public Health Emergencies
Online course from NACCHO
Information for States and Local Health Departments
- Disaster Mental Health Primer: Key Principles, Issues and Questions
Overview of general principles and reactions to disasters - Disaster Mental Health for States: Key Principles, Issues and Questions
What should happen in the first four weeks, roles, and reaction in a disasters
Effects of Stress
- The Long-term Impact of a Traumatic Event
What to expect in your personal, family, work & financial life from SAMHSA, HHS - The Effects of Stress on Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse
Suicide Prevention
- SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990 (TTY for deaf/hearing impaired:
1-800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746 - The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is fully staffed to receive all calls at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) - Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Includes Information and Resources
Coping during Specific Types of Emergencies
Natural Disasters
- Preventing Violence after a Natural Disaster
Preventing child maltreatment, shaken baby syndrome, managing stress in relationships, sexual violence, suicide & youth violence
Hurricanes
- Hurricane Aftermath Resources
A collection of resources for the Public, Volunteers, Health Professionals & Schools compiled by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center - Psychosocial Concerns after Hurricane Katrina Tips for Medical Care Providers
A collection of resources for Medical Providers, Survivors, Response Workers, Military, Family of Military & more from the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Hurricane Disaster Care Resources
Resources provided by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - After the Storm - Tips for Adult Healthy Relationships
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese - After the Storm - Tips for Adults
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese - After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Children
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese - After the Storm - Tips for Parents of Youth
French | Haitian Creole | Spanish | Vietnamese - Additional Resources
Terrorist Events
- Maintain a Healthy State of Mind
Developed in partnership with the American Red Cross
Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
Other Resources
- Publications on Mental Health & Disaster Issues
A collection of resources for Responders, Adults, Families, Older Adults & Schools from SAMHSA, HHS - MedlinePlus: Coping with Disasters
National Institutes of Health (NIH) - MedlinePlus: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Page last reviewed: August 31, 2012
- Page last updated: August 1, 2014
- Content source: CDC Emergency Risk Communication Branch (ERCB), Division of Emergency Operations (DEO), Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR)
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