Coping With Disaster

Coping With Disaster

(Provided by Counselor Education Faculty from Department of Professional Studies)

As part of the human family, each of us is impacted by the disastrous consequences of Katrina. As faculty in the midst of this nature-induced trauma, we must take care of ourselves and be available to students we have in our temporary care. It is normal in this abnormal situation to have strong feelings and reactions to events and behaviors. This is as true of faculty as it is of students.

Knowledge is a powerful tool. Faculty may observe some students exhibiting normal responses to trauma or other students exhibiting severe psychological distress as a result of their exposure to recent events. Following are resources that offer trauma-related information. If a faculty member witnesses severe distress in a student, a referral may need to be considered to a mental health professional. As a reminder, University Counseling Services (460-7051) offers free counseling to students, faculty and staff.

Resources

American Psychiatric Association

“Biological Responses to Disasters” by Shalev, A. Y.

www.psych.org/disasterpsych/sl/biologicalresponses.cfm

Anger and Trauma

http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/angertrauma.html

The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

“In the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina” by Lerner, Mark D.

http://www.aaets.org/index.htm

Department of Veterans Affairs

“Effects of Traumatic Stress in a Disaster Situation”

http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/disasters/fs_effects_disaster.html