With support from SAMHSA, PRA, and the National Center for Trauma Informed Care launched the After the Crisis initiative following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The key activities of the initiative were focused on the development of technical assistance strategies and support networks that are dedicated to addressing the long term mental health and trauma needs of disaster survivors.
Many people in communities across the country have histories of trauma, as well as a serious mental illness and/or substance abuse problems. This is especially true for those individuals who are served by the public mental health and correctional systems. For anyone affected by a major disaster, its effects can be emotionally and psychologically devastating. Even for people who have never before experienced a severe trauma; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety reactions, increased substance abuse, and many other reactions are common. For those individuals who have a history of trauma, the cumulative impact of trauma in their lives leaves them even more susceptible to the psychological impact of a major community disaster, such as Hurricane Sandy.
We would like to remind our friends and colleagues of the resources available as you respond to and care for those affected by yesterday’s storm.