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PTSD: National Center for PTSD

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Resources for Survivors and the Public Following Disaster and Mass Violence

 

Resources for Survivors and the Public Following Disaster and Mass Violence

The impacts of disaster or acts of mass violence are broad. Many people are affected. These events leave behind injury and death as well as damage to the community. Media reports can trigger reminders to events in the past. This page links to information and tools to help you deal with stress reactions after a disaster or mass violence event.

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Key Information

What to Expect in the Wake of Disaster | en Español
Disasters can cause a range of reactions in direct victims, emergency personnel, as well as in the public at large. There are strategies you can use to cope in the short- and long-term, and effective treatments that can help.

What to Expect in the Wake of Mass Violence | en Español
Mass violence events can cause a range of reactions in direct victims, emergency personnel, as well as in the public at large. There are strategies you can use to cope in the short and long-term, and effective treatments that can help.

What to Expect in the Wake of Wildfires | en Español
Wildfires have caused millions of acres to burn, leaving death, injury, loss of homes and community destruction in their wake. Such events can also cause financial hardship and ongoing stressors as people work to put their lives back together.

Help for People Affected by Disasters and Mass Violence
Learn about the types of help individuals and communities may need to recover after a disaster or mass violence event. Useful resources are included in the article.

Ways for Families to Cope with School Shootings
Learn to use and adapt strategies found to help families with fear, anger and loss after a school shooting.

Self-Care After Disasters
Disasters may cause a number of stress reactions in those who experience or respond to the event. Learn about steps you can take to manage stress after a disaster.

Tools to Help with Symptoms Following Trauma

PTSD Coach Mobile App
This mobile app designed to help with self-care for those with PTSD can also be helpful in the aftermath of a disaster. Use this app to track your level of distress and learn skills to cope with symptoms that commonly occur after trauma.
Download free App: iTunes (iOS)Link will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site. | Google Play (Android).Link will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site. | French Canadian iTunes (iOS).Link will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.

PTSD Coach Online
This online resource offers 17 tools that can help you manage trauma reminders, sleep issues and other troubling symptoms following a disaster. PTSD Coach Online is available to anyone with access to the Internet.

PTSD Family Coach Mobile App
This mobile app is for family members of those living with someone who has PTSD. It offers tools that may be helpful in the aftermath of a disaster. Use this app to take care of yourself, strengthen your relationship with a loved one who experienced a disaster, and help your loved one get necessary care.
Download free App: iTunes (iOS)Link will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site. | Google Play (Android)Link will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.

Printable Handouts for Disaster Survivors

Gathering Information and Prioritizing Assistance
SPR Skill Flowchart | en Español (PDF)
What is "Skills for Psychological Recovery?" | en Español (PDF)
SPR Overview and Review of Skills | en Español (PDF)
Building Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-Solving Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
For Children: Problem Busters Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
Promoting Positive Activities
Choosing Positive Activities | en Español (PDF)
Positive Activity Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
For Children: Choosing Things to Do | en Español (PDF)
For Children: Positive Activity Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
For Parents: Helping Your Child Plan Activities | en Español (PDF)
Managing Reactions
— For Adults & Adolescents Managing Reactions Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
Breathing Exercise | en Español (PDF)
Posttraumatic Stress Reactions | en Español (PDF)
Anger and Irritability | en Español (PDF)
Sleep Difficulties | en Español (PDF)
Reactions to Chronic Stress | en Español (PDF)
Depressed Mood | en Español (PDF)
Post-Disaster Fears | en Español (PDF)
Grief Reactions | en Español (PDF)
Supporting Someone After a Disaster | en Español (PDF)
Drug and Alcohol Problems | en Español (PDF)
— For Children Getting Control of Your Fears | en Español (PDF)
— For Parents Helping Children Control Their Fears | en Español (PDF)
Help for Children's Sleep Problems | en Español (PDF)
Children's Intrusive (Unwanted) Thoughts and Traumatic Reminders | en Español (PDF)
Children's Anxiety (Avoiding, Clinging, Fears) | en Español (PDF)
Children's Tantrums and Acting Out Behavior | en Español (PDF)
Children and Grief: Information for Families | en Español (PDF)
Promoting Helpful Thinking
Helpful Thinking Handout | en Español (PDF)
For Children: Helpful Thinking Handout | en Español (PDF)
Helpful Thinking Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
For Children: Helpful Thinking / Good Coach, Bad Coach Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
Payoff Matrix Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
Building Healthy Social Connections
Social Connections List | en Español (PDF)
Social Map Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
For Children: Social Map Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
Types of Social Support Worksheet | en Español (PDF)
Getting Social Support in Six Steps | en Español (PDF)
Giving Social Support in Six Steps | en Español (PDF)
Multiple Contacts
Preventing Setbacks Worksheet | en Español (PDF)

More Disaster Related Information

Common Reactions After Trauma
After going through a trauma, survivors often say that their first feeling is relief to be alive. This may be followed by stress, fear, and anger. Trauma survivors may also find they are unable to stop thinking about what happened. Many survivors will show a high level of arousal, which causes them to react strongly to sounds and sights around them.

Effects of Disasters: Resilience and Risk Factors
When disaster happens, it's common to have stress reactions. Most people recover in time. Learn about factors that make it more or less likely that someone will have more severe or longer-lasting stress reactions after such events.

Trauma Reminders: Triggers
People respond to traumatic events in a number of ways, such as feelings of concern, anger, fear, or helplessness. Research shows that people who have been through trauma, loss, or hardship in the past may be even more likely than others to be affected by new, potentially traumatic events.

Community Violence: Effects on Children and Teens
Describes how neighborhood violence affects young people, and gives resources that can help.

Media Coverage of Traumatic Events
Learn how media (news, movies, etc.) can affect your stress level or harm children, and read about how to reduce bad effects.

Links to Key Resources

  • Suicide and Crisis LifelineLink will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.
    This national network of local crisis centers provides free and confidential support to those who feel emotionally overwhelmed or in distress. Call or send a text to 988 for 24/7 support. You can also open a live online chat on their website.
  • Veterans Crisis LineLink will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.
    This service connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring responders trained to work with Veterans. Receive free, confidential support 24/7: 988 then press 1 or text 838255.You can also open a live online chat on their website.
  • Give an HourLink will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.
    Give an Hour works with mental health providers who volunteer their services to provide care and support to those affected by natural disasters or man-made traumas. Give an Hour also provides free mental health care to active duty, National Guard and Reserve Service members, Veterans, and their families.
  • National Child Traumatic Stress NetworkLink will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site.
    This Center works to improve access to care, treatment, and services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events.

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PTSD Information Voice Mail: (802) 296-6300
Email: ncptsd@va.gov
Also see: VA Mental Health