With the month of June being the start of hurricane season here in North Carolina, I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that many do not think of. How can natural disasters impact our mental health? Understandably, the first thought that most people have shortly after a natural disaster happens is about the physical safety of any people in the impacted area, as well as any damage to buildings or infrastructure. Something that is not as prominent when it comes to natural disaster impact is the thought of “now that the survivors are physically safe, what about their mental health?”, this is the question I plan to explore some basics of today.
In terms of mental health there can be various different issues that may arise after a natural disaster strikes. According to the American Psychiatric Association, these issues can include stress and feeling numb or angry in the wake of the event. A survivor feeling stress is a normal and expected reaction, but it may have many different impacts for each individual, ranging from depression to anxiety and even longer term Post-Traumatic Stress for some people. These issues, combined with grief from the loss of a home or even loved ones can be overwhelming for survivors.The feeling of being overwhelmed can then result in various physical problems.
Some of the physical issues brought about by the mental pain and trauma of a natural disaster can include difficulty in falling or staying asleep, confusion or feelings of low energy, and lack of or increased appetite. Furthermore, survivors can also experience illness such as headaches or stomach issues from high stress levels. Many survivors say the pain they go through is often amplified by the thought that they alone are facing these issues. However, these kinds of experiences can be common for many after a natural disaster.
The idea that what we are going through can be common for other people is often very hard for us to think about. However, sharing your pain and stresses with others can be vital. Things like support groups, churches, or even just talking with neighbors and other friends or family can often help survivors to find their bearings. These community supports help not only in terms of physical supplies such as food and water, but also in allowing the survivor to begin to process the aftermath of the event. Group or individual therapy can help survivors address their stress, grief, anger, and sadness in a healthy manner. Often, just having someone willing to listen to their challenges and allow them to feel heard without judgement can be a very healing thing for survivors. Connection with others can also allow survivors to reduce feelings of isolation and a lack of social connection. Improved social connection aids in mental resilience and improves mental health through sharing struggles and a feeling of increased belonging with others in the same situation. I myself have been indirectly impacted by a past natural disaster and had to find ways to deal with the anxiety of the destruction and the unknown.
My example begins when some of my family were impacted by hurricane Helene. My aunt and uncle were camping in the mountains when the flooding caused by the hurricane hit the campground they were staying in. We did not know if they were okay and could not get in touch with them, which led my family and I to become very on edge and anxious, especially because no one thought flooding would happen in the mountains well away from the coast and were confused on exactly how much damage had occurred in their area, only hearing the word “catastrophic” on the news. Finally, we got word they were okay and had evacuated, the camper was totaled and the mountain communities were devastated. With this stress and feeling helpless, my family and I decided to do something. We donated food, baby needs, and animal care products through a local church to help others. I was not involved directly in the disaster but even my stress and anxiety from having a family member experience it has taught me about the need to manage many different forms of health in the wake of a natural disaster.
Overall, there are many facets of health to be taken into consideration when you survive a natural disaster. Firstly, are you physically safe and healthy at the current time? Beyond that however, you must also think about your mental health and how the disaster impacts other sections of your life. One important part of mental health is investigating what mental health challenges you are facing. Are you experiencing stress, grief, anger, or a combination of emotions? One possible solution is finding someone to share these experiences with, such as support groups or some form of therapy. If you are involved in a disaster, you have undergone great trauma but have survived, and you can not only survive but thrive if you receive the help you need.
