Coping With a Traumatic Event
Thursday, 18 April 2013 09:08
Scurry County Health Unit
Coping With a Traumatic Event
Information for the Public (see also Information for Health Professionals)
Highlights
Traumatic events often cause feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and agression.
- It will take time before you start to feel better.
- There are many things you can do to cope with traumatic events, including talking to family, friends, and clergy for support.
- You may need to consider seeking professional help if you feel sad or depressed for more than two weeks, or if you are not able to take care of your family or do your job.
A traumatic event turns your world upside down.
After surviving a disaster or act of violence, people may feel dazed or even numb. They may also feel sad, helpless, or anxious. In spite of the tragedy, some people just feel happy to be alive.
It is not unusual to have bad memories or dreams. You may avoid places or people that remind you of the disaster. You might have trouble sleeping, eating, or paying attention. Many people have short tempers and get angry easily.
These are all normal reactions to stress.
It will take time before you start to feel better.
You may have strong feelings right away. Or you may not notice a change until much later, after the crisis is over. Stress can change how you act with your friends and family. It will take time for you to feel better and for your life to return to normal. Give yourself time to heal.
These steps may help you feel better.
A traumatic event disrupts your life. There is no simple fix to make things better right away. But there are actions that can help you, your family, and your community heal. Try to:
- Follow a normal routine as much as possible.
- Eat healthy meals. Be careful not to skip meals or to overeat.
- Exercise and stay active.
- Help other people in your community as a volunteer. Stay busy.
- Accept help from family, friends, co-workers, or clergy. Talk about your feelings with them.
- Limit your time around the sights and sounds of what happened. Don’t dwell on TV, radio, or newspaper reports on the tragedy.
Sometimes the stress can be too much to handle alone.
Ask for help if you:
- Are not able to take care of yourself or your children.
- Are not able to do your job.
- Use alcohol or drugs to get away from your problems.
- Feel sad or depressed for more than two weeks
- Think about suicide.
If you or someone you know is having trouble dealing with the tragedy, ask for help. Talk to a counselor, your doctor, or community organization, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).
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Bombing: A Common Sense Approach
Thursday, 18 April 2013 08:35
Scurry County Health Unit
Preparing for a Bombing: A Common Sense Approach
Although terrorists use a variety of methods to inflict harm and create fear, bombs are used most frequently. According to the U. S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, bombings accounted for nearly 70 percent of all terrorist attacks in the U.S. and its territories between 1980 and 20011. This document focuses on common sense principles that will be useful in a bombing event.
What can I do now?
CDC and the American Red Cross encourage every organization, family and individual to take time to prepare for an emergency or disaster. These steps can help you get started:
- Know your work, school and community disaster plans. If you are not familiar with the plans, contact your supervisor, school administrators, or your local fire department for information.
- Identify an alternative hospital. Hospitals closest to the event are always the busiest.
- Visit American Red Cross . The site provides guidance on creating a disaster plan and steps you can take now to protect yourself and your loved ones.
What should I do if I think someone is going to set off a bomb?
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At Home
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At Work
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At School
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In Public
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Leave the area immediately.
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Follow existing evacuation guidelines.
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Follow existing evacuation guidelines.
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Leave the area immediately.
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Call 9-1-1. Tell the operator what you saw or know (suspicious persons, packages, or vehicles).
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Call 9-1-1. Tell the operator what you saw or know (suspicious persons, packages, or vehicles).
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Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from neighborhood leaders).
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Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from workplace supervisors).
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Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from school administrators).
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Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from community leaders).
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For more information on mass casualties and preparedness, please go to: http://emergency.cdc.gov/.
Last Updated on Thursday, 18 April 2013 09:06
WHAT COULD BE NEEDLING YOU?!!
Thursday, 02 February 2012 14:20
Scurry County Health Unit
!!!STICKING TO THE FACTS!!!
Household generated “sharps” include hypodermic needles, syringes, and lancets. They are typically used in the home for insulin injection or
for administering medications to treat other chronic diseases such as allergies, arthritis, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis B, and HIV.
Managing and disposing of household generated sharps safely reduces pollution to the environment and prevents injury and disease transmission from needle-sticks.
Never leave needles or syringes on streets, in parks, or anywhere else where they could injure someone.
NEVER PLACE LOOSE NEEDLES AND SYRINGES IN THE TRASH!
Please click on web-site below to veiw the proper way to dispose of ALL used needles:
http://www.safeneedledisposal.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=100
Last Updated on Thursday, 02 February 2012 14:46
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MEDICATION CLINIC EXERCISE
Wednesday, 15 August 2012 14:05
Scurry County Health Unit
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On Tuesday, October 30, 2012, Scurry County Health Unit will be conducting an exercise to evaluate our ability to execute our written plans and procedures in the event of a Public Health disaster.
This exercise will consist of activating and setting-up a Point of dispensing (POD), which is a medication clinic that would be used to give medicine to the public during a disaster. Following the POD set up, we will test how quickly we can move the public through the clinic. Volunteers will be critical in conducting this exercise. WE NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE!!
Please contact Jan McClain at 325-573-3508 and let me know that you are willing to volunteer. It is very important that we, as volunteers, do our part in helping out in our community. I will recontact you in the upcoming months as a reminder!
Thanks,
Jan McClain
EVENT Medication Clinic Exercise
DATE: Oct.30, 2012
TIME: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
PLACE: Scurry County Coliseum , Snyder , TX
Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
If you have a new or different contact address, please let me know and I will change it, as soon as possible, so that you do not miss out on any upcoming news and events.
Thank you!
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WHAT'S UP FOR 2013
Tuesday, 20 December 2011 16:41
Scurry County Health Unit
Last Updated on Thursday, 18 April 2013 09:03
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