Mental Health in the Aftermath of Ike

Now that people are in the process of cleaning up the tangible affects of Hurricane Ike, some agencies are encouraging you to also focus on the intangible – that of your mental health.
 
FEMA has compiled a list of signs and symptoms of stress, and Mental Health America of Greater Houston has compiled a list of what you can do to help yourself, family or friends.
 
Signs and symptoms of stress:
 

• Difficulty communicating thoughts.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Difficulty maintaining a balanced life.
• Low threshold of frustration.
• Increased use of drugs/alcohol.
• Limited attention span.
• Poor work performance.
• Headaches/stomach problems.
• Tunnel vision/muffled hearing.
• Colds or flu-like symptoms.
• Disorientation or confusion.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Reluctance to leave home.
• Depression, sadness.
• Feelings of hopelessness.
• Mood-swings and easy bouts of crying.
• Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt.
• Fear of crowds, strangers or being alone.

*Source: FEMA
 
 
How You Can Help Yourself:
 

• Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and exercise, and eat properly. If you smoke or drink coffee, try to limit your intake, since nicotine and caffeine can also add to your stress.
• Limit exposure to images of the disaster. Watching or reading news about the event over and over again will only increase your stress.
• Talk about what you are feeling. By talking with others about the event, you can relieve stress and realize that others share your feelings. If you have any children, also encourage them to share their concerns and feelings about the disaster.
• Take one thing at a time. Pick one urgent task and work on it. Once you accomplish that task, choose the next one. This gives a sense of accomplishment and makes things feel less overwhelming.
• Focus on an activity that you enjoy. Read a book, go for a walk, watch a movie or do something else you find enjoyable. These healthy activities can help you get your mind off the disaster and keep the stress in check.
• Do something positive. Prepare "care packages" for people who have lost relatives or their homes or jobs, or volunteer in a rebuilding effort. It can give you a sense of purpose in a situation that feels out of your control.

• Avoid drugs and excessive drinking. Drugs and alcohol may temporarily seem to remove stress, but in the long run they generally create more problems and increase the stress you were already feeling.
• Ask for help when you need it. Don't try to cope alone. If your feelings do not go away or are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function in daily life, talk with a trusted relative, friend, doctor or spiritual advisor about getting help.

*Source: Ike Behavioral Health Response Team/Mental Health America of Greater Houston
 
 
Where To Get Help:
 
 FEMA obligated nearly $2 million in grants for crisis counseling services in the 34 counties designated for assistance to individuals. Officials also say nearly 100 crisis counselors are available through the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers.
 
To be eligible for free crisis counseling services, the person must be a resident of one of the 34 Texas counties designated for federal assistance.
 
Those counties are Angelina, Austin , Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend , Galveston , Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Houston , Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty , Madison , Matagorda, Montgomery , Nacogdoches , Newton , Orange , Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby , Smith, Trinity, Tyler , Walker , Waller, and Washington .
 
The following Mental Health/Mental Retardation (MHMR) centers are providing crisis counseling for 23 of the designated counties:
 
·        Burke Center - Angelina, San Augustine, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk,     Sabine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler: 1-800-392-8343
 
·        Gulf Coast Center - Brazoria and Galveston: 1-800-643-0967
 
·        Harris County MHMR - Harris and Fort Bend: 1-713-970-7000
 
·        Spindletop MHMR - Hardin, Jefferson, Chambers and Orange: 1-800-937-8097
 
·        Tri-County MHMR - Liberty, Montgomery and Walker: 1-888-690-0799
 
Residents in other counties should call the United Way Helpline at 2-1-1.
 
In addition to calling participating MHMR centers, people can also call the following numbers for assistance:
 
·        1-800-273-8255 (TALK): for suicidal or homicidal thoughts or plans
·        1-800-662-4357 (HELP): for problematic use of alcohol or drugs
·        1-800-799-7233: for issues related to domestic violence, child abuse or elder abuse
 

- Mental Health America of Greater Houston Information & Referral: 713-522-5161, Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m. - 5p.m.
- Crisis Hotline: (24 hours): 713-HOTLINE (468-5463)
- Spanish: 713-47-AYUDA (29832)
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
 
Additional information: (press control and click to open links)
For People Living with Mental Illness
For Young People
For Older Adults
For Parents and Guardians
For Schools and Educators
For First Responders