No one in America remains untouched by the recent acts of terrorism upon New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. And the facts are:
There are two types of disaster traumaindividual and community. September 11, 2001 was both.
Stress and grief reactions are normal responses to an abnormal situation, says Betsy Schwartz, executive director of the Mental Health Association (MHA) of Greater Houston.
People generally tend to pull together and function during and after a disaster.
From history we learn that characteristic reactions to such trauma are such things as:
Depression
Fears, anxieties, irritability
Confusion, crying, scream ing
Fear of crowds and/or reluc tance to leave home
Problems going to sleep
Sensitivity to loud noises
Alcohol and other drug use
Fear of darkness or animals
Disobedience, behavioral problems and poor school performance in children
We can help each other deal with the mental health aspects of terrorism by doing several things, she says:
Provide lots of reassurance to help kids through trauma
Answer their questions honestly but briefly.
Try to maintain-or re-establish-a normal household.
Resume regular social and recreational activities when appropriate
Acknowledge that you may have reactions to the natural disaster and take appropriate steps to foster your own emotional and physical healing.
When should you refer a person for mental health services?
If a person is disoriented-dazed, has memory loss, cant remember events or understand what is happening
If a person hears voices or sees visions, has delusional thinking or pressured speech
If a person is unable to care for self such as taking a bath, eating, changing clothes
If the person has suicidal or homicidal thoughts or plans
Domestic violence, child or elder abuse
Alcohol or drug abuse
The Mental Health Association of Greater Houston (MHA Houston), affiliated with the Mental Health Association in Texas and the National Mental Health Association, is a non-profit, united Way agency devoted to promoting mental health, improving mental health services and eliminating the stigma of mental illness. For information and referral call 713-522-5161 or log on to www.mhahouston.org.
