Floods can have a major impact on mental health and emotional well-being. Experiencing a flood can cause anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. For many people, these feelings can continue for years and rain in the forecast may take people right back to the disaster or cause them to fear that it’s about to happen again. As natural disasters become more frequent and intense with climate change, flooding will continue to have an increasing toll on mental health. It's important to know that help is available for those struggling with the emotional distress caused by flooding. Below is a list of resources that can provide support.
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FEMA: Recovering From Disaster This document offers some general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal. |
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Red Cross: Recovering Emotionally After a Disaster (en español) Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. Children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people for whom English is not their first language are especially at risk and are likely to need extra care and help. But everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process. |
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CDC: Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event (en español) During and after a disaster, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster. |
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SAMHSA: Disaster Distress Helpline (en español) SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. |
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NAMI: Crisis Information and Resources (en español) Use this checklist to assist you in making your call. Ask for the Crisis Intervention Team or request an officer trained in handling mental health cases. |
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Integral Care: Crisis Services (en español) Like a storm that knocks a house from its foundation, a mental health crisis can knock someone off their feet. Integral Care offers mental health crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the phone and in the community. |