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This resource is funded through a grant from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health via funding received for the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us in ways that go well beyond the medical and physical health realm. It has resulted in changes to about every aspect of our lives. The continued uncertainty that surrounds this pandemic has caused much stress to us individually, to our families, to our communities, and to every system we know. The first emergence of this virus was only months ago, yet it seems like years. The more we learn about COVID-19, the more we realize that it will likely be with us for a while longer. Unlike a tornado, flood, or fire, COVID-19 is a disaster that is both more expansive and does not have a clear beginning or end. In our communities, infection rates appear to get better but then get worse. Decisions and plans regarding prevention practices, schools, and our day to day routines change often. This pandemic has caused us to experience uncertainty, anger, anxiety, depression, and more. It has been said that it has caused us to feel every emotion and has challenged our usual practices for coping. To date, many resources have been developed to assist with the immediate impact of COVID-19. This booklet is not intended to include all of these resources, as they will likely change and grow. This booklet is, however, intended to serve as a quick, practical guide to help. It is hoped that this booklet can be personalized for your own particular situation. 3
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REACTIONS TO A DISASTER The following is adapted from “Typical Individual and Community Reactions to a Disaster” - FEMA Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Guidance CCP Application Toolkit, Version 5.0, July 2016
We react to disasters at both personal and community levels. Typical reactions to a disaster include physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses that may be experienced by individuals and families. Each category of disaster response includes a diverse set of reactions that may change over time. For example, a person may experience hyper vigilance immediately after a disaster and then, over time, lapse into a state of chronic fatigue. Whether the reactions are adaptive or become distressing, we who are affected by a disaster may experience more than one type of reaction, and these reactions may change over time. We may experience anxiety, loss of sleep or appetite, stress, grief, irritability, hopelessness, and family conflict.
Personal Reactions to Y
COVID-19
N Are you tired and having trouble with sleep or concentration? Are you more forgetful or irritable?
Are you worried about your or a loved one’s health, job, finances, housing? Are you concerned with the uncertainty of the future and the conflicting information you hear on the news? 5
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My Reactions
List some of the PHYSICAL REACTIONS you have experienced that relate to COVID-19.
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My Reactions
List some of the MENTAL REACTIONS you have experienced that relate to COVID-19.
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My Reactions
List some of the EMOTIONAL REACTIONS you have experienced that relate to COVID-19.
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My Reactions
List some of the SPIRITUAL REACTIONS you have experienced that relate to COVID-19.
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COMMUNITY REACTIONS TO A DISASTER While each of us experiences the disaster as an individual, we also experience it as part of our community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified six phases of a community’s response to a disaster. For those of us who have experienced disasters in the past, these phases may sound familiar. For the current COVID-19 pandemic that has no clear beginning or end, several of these phases may be experienced simultaneously. However, these phases may help us to better understand much of the uncertainty, turmoil and unrest that many of us are currently experiencing.
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6 PHASES OF COMMUNITY RESPONSE PHASE 1
Characterized by fear and uncertainty.
PHASE 2
Characterized by a range of intense emotional reactions.
The specific reactions a community experiences depend on the type of disaster. Disasters with no warning can cause feelings of vulnerability and lack of security; fears of future, unpredicted tragedies; and a sense of loss of control or the loss of the ability to protect oneself and one’s family. On the other hand, disasters with warning can cause guilt or selfblame for failure to heed the warnings. This phase could be as short as hours, or even minutes, such as during a terrorist attack; or it could be as long as several months, such as during a hurricane season.
As with Phase 1, the specific reactions also depend on the type of disaster that is occurring. Slow, low-threat disasters have psychological effects different from those of rapid, dangerous disasters. As a result, these reactions can range from shock to overt panic. Initial confusion and disbelief typically are followed by a focus on selfpreservation and family protection. This phase is usually the shortest of the six phases of disaster.
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PHASE 3
Characterized by a high level of activity with a low level of productivity. During this phase, there is a sense of altruism, and many community members exhibit adrenaline-induced rescue behavior. As a result, risk assessment may be impaired. This phase often passes quickly into the next phase.
PHASE 4
Characterized by a shift in emotions toward optimism and hope. During this phase, disaster assistance is readily available, and community bonding occurs. Optimism exists that everything will return to normal quickly. As a result, numerous opportunities are available for sub-recipients and resources to establish and build rapport with affected people and groups, and build relationships with stakeholders. This phase typically lasts only a few weeks.
PHASE 5
Characterized by a shift in emotions toward discouragement and stress. During this phase, communities and individuals realize the limits of disaster assistance. As optimism turns to discouragement and stress continues to take a toll, negative reactions, such as physical exhaustion or substance use, may begin to surface. The increasing gap between need and assistance leads to feelings of abandonment. Especially as the larger community returns to business as usual, there may be an increased demand for services, as individuals and communities become ready to accept support. This phase can last months, and even years. It is often extended by one or more trigger events, which usually include the anniversary of the disaster.
PHASE 6
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Characterized by an overall feeling of recovery. Individuals and communities begin to assume responsibility for rebuilding their lives, and people adjust to a new “normal� while continuing to grieve losses. This phase often begins around the anniversary of the disaster and may continue for some time beyond that. Following catastrophic events, this phase may be years in duration.
Use the space below to write some of the ways COVID-19 has impacted your community. What phases have you noticed in your community?
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Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our usual ways of coping with stress at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.
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When we think about effective ways to deal with stress, what are some practical and healthy coping practices? How many of these do you currently do for stress relief? Add your own practices to the list!
PHYSICAL HEALTH Take Good Care of Your Body • Attend to your medical needs • Make sure you are getting enough sleep • Breathe fully and deeply • Exercise – walk, stretch, dance • Eat healthy foods – limit alcohol
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MENTAL HEALTH Take Good Care of Your Mind • Stay grounded – notice what you see, hear, smell, taste and touch • Pace yourself - try to focus on what you can do today • Limit the amount of time you spend on news/social media – consider the sources for news • Go outside and spend some time with nature – take a hike in the woods, go to a lake, take a drive to the mountains, etc.
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EMOTIONAL HEALTH Take Good Care of Your Feelings • Check in with friends and family – try not to become isolated • Listen to your favorite music / Savor a cup of coffee or tea • Be patient and forgiving with others – they are having a difficult time, too • Set boundaries – remember that it’s ok to say “No” • Whenever possible, try to laugh!
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SPIRITUAL HEALTH Take Good Care of Your Soul • Pray or meditate • Practice kindness and forgiveness • Focus on what truly matters
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OTHER WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS:
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RESOURCES FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS What follows is a listing of resources for meeting immediate needs. Please use the extra space to add resources in your local community.
COVID-19 RESOURCES https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Documents/ COVID-19-Guidance-on-Stress-and-Coping.pdf • WV Covid Hotline • DHHR Covid INFO • DHHR Covid Test Sites • COVID-19 Testing Sites in WV Help & Hope WV www.HelpandHopeWV.org This website is an educational and resource-rich website that includes links to many of the resources listed below
RESOURCES WITH LIVE HELPLINES 211 www.wv211.org Call 2-1-1 The WV 211 program helps locate social services and resources in your community. Help304 https://www.help304.com/ 1-877-HELP304 (1-877-435-7304) Feeling anxious, overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted? Help304 is an emotional strength line for West Virginia. Via phone, text, or chat, you can connect with professional crisis counselors who are trained to listen and help you find the way forward with stress-management strategies as well as community resources and referrals. 25
RESOURCES FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS HELP4WV https://www.help4wv.com/ 1-844-HELP4WV (1-844-435-7498) Provides immediate help for those struggling with addiction or mental health issues. HELP4WV features 24-hour access to call, text, and chat. It also has a searchable on-line resource directory. National Suicide Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 1-800-273-8255 The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800-GAMBLER https://www.1800gambler.net/ Call 1-800-gambler (1-800-426-2537) Statewide program includes a 24-hour helpline with referrals to gambling addiction specialists, support groups and more.
OTHER RESOURCE WEBSITES Jobs & Hope https://jobsandhope.wv.gov/ This program connects anyone seeking job training or employment to someone who can help. Workforce WV https://workforcewv.org/ WorkForce West Virginia oversees the state unemployment insurance program as well as a network of workforce development services.
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RESOURCES FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS ACA Navigator https://acanavigator.com/wv/home Specifically designed to help people sign up with the Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, ACA Navigator offers free health insurance counseling. FEMA.gov https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus The National Child Traumatic Stress Network https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/ trauma-types/disasters/pandemic-resources Created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. SAMHSA.gov https://www.samhsa.gov/coronavirus
Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac DTAC helps states, U.S. territories, tribes, and local providers plan for and respond to behavioral health needs after a disaster.
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RESOURCES FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS Add More Resources Below:
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CLOSING Even though COVID-19 has challenged us all, remember that we have access to practical tools to overcome its impact. We are strong and we are resilient! We encourage you to add other tips and resources to this document. You are not alone. The feelings and emotions you feel are normal and real. Reach out to others.
Stay safe. You matter.
For more information please call.
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Additional Thoughts:
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For further reading, please see: Banitt, S. (2012). The Trauma Tool Kit: Healing PTSD From the Inside Out. Quest Books Theosophical Publishing House, Wheaton, IL. FEMA. (2016). Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Guidance CCP Application Toolkit, Version 5.0. Levine, P. (2010). In An Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA. Najavits, L. (2002). Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse. The Guilford Press, New York, NY.
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