Coping with Disasters: Health Information Guide
Overview
- Coping with Traumatic Events
National Institutes of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health - Coping with Traumatic Events
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Disaster Distress Helpline
Also in Spanish.
Phone: 1-800-985-5990; Text: "TalkWithUs" to 66746
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Disaster Mental Health Primer: Key Principles, Issues and Questions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Mental Health and Behavioral Guidelines for Response to a Pandemic Flu Outbreak: Background on the Mental Health Impact of Natural Disasters, Including Epidemics
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Disaster Situations in the Caribbean
World Health Organization - Mental Health in Emergencies: Mental and Social Aspects of Health of Populations Exposed to Extreme Stressors
Also in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish
World Health Organization - Mental Health Intervention in the Event of a Disaster (PDF, 324 KB)
Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction - DCoE Outreach Center: Real Warriors Live Resource Line, Live Chat or call 1-866-966-1020
Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, U.S. Department of Defense
Information by Topic Area
The searches below find resources from two National Library of Medicine databases:
- Disaster Lit®: links to disaster medicine and public health documents for a professional audience, available on the internet at no cost. Includes expert guidelines, research reports, conference proceedings, training classes, fact sheets, websites, databases, and more.
- PubMed: more than 28 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. May include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.
Click on the searches below, or go directly to the databases and develop your own searches.
Coping with Disasters - General
Disaster Lit
For Emergency Responders, Heathcare Workers, Journalists, and Volunteers
Disaster Lit
For Professionals, Teachers, Parents and Others Working with Children
PubMed
- Larger Amygdala Volume Mediates the Association Between Prenatal Maternal Stress and Higher Levels of Externalizing Behaviors: Sex Specific Effects in Project Ice Storm
- Prefabricated Temporary Housing and Eczema or Respiratory Symptoms in Schoolchildren after the Great East Japan Earthquake: The ToMMo Child Health Study
Key Organizations
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
U.S. Department of Defense - National Center for PTSD
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - National Child Traumatic Stress Network
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mental Health and Emotional Response to Traumatic Events
- A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis Response Professions
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Returning to Work: Tips for Disaster Responders
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Adjusting to Life at Home: Tips for Families of Returning Disaster Responders
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Helping Staff Manage Stress When Returning to Work: Tips for Supervisors of Disaster Responders
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Acute Stress Disorder
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Common Reactions After Trauma
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Community Violence: The Effects on Children and Teens
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Impact of Disaster and Mass Violence Events on Mental Health
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Guidelines on Notifying Families of Dead or Missing Loved Ones
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Media Coverage of Traumatic Events: Research on Effects
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Effects of Disasters: Risk and Resilience Factors
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Intervention and Treatment
- Cochrane Evidence Aid: Resources for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Following Natural Disasters
The Cochrane Library - Helping Survivors: Intermediate Interventions Following Disaster and Mass Violence
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Evidence-Based Management for Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Evidence-Based Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Psychological and Behavioral Issues Healthcare Providers Need to Know when Treating Patients Following a Radiation Event
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide, 2nd Edition
Also available in English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / National Child Traumatic Stress Network, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - PTSD in Children and Adolescents
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Self-Care After Disasters
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Treating Survivors in the Acute Aftermath of Traumatic Events
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Substance Abuse Issues
- Disasters and Substance Abuse or Dependence
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Pre-Existing Behavioral Health and Mental Health Conditions
- Addressing the Needs of the Seriously Mentally Ill in Disaster
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Coping With Unexpected Events: Depression and Trauma
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
For Emergency Responders, Healthcare Workers, Journalists, and Volunteers
Emergency Responders
- Behavioral Health Tips for Responders: Maintaining Calm at a POD
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Tips for Disaster Responders: Preventing and Managing Stress (PDF, 1 MB)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Traumatic Incident Stress
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Heathcare Workers
- A Critical Concern: Pediatrician Self-care After Disasters
American Academy of Pediatrics - Sustaining Caregiving and Psychological Well-Being While Caring for Disaster Victims
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Journalists
- Covering Children & Trauma
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism - Reporting War
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism - Tragedies and Journalists: A Guide for More Effective Coverage
Also available in Spanish.
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Disaster Relief Workers and Volunteers
- Body Recovery and Stress Management for Leaders and Supervisors
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Disaster Rescue and Response Workers
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Information for Relief Workers on Emotional Reactions to Human Bodies in Mass Death
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Leadership and Supervision for Body Recovery in Mass Death
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - Working with Trauma Survivors: What Workers Need to Know
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Religious Leaders and Faith-Based Groups
- Disaster Tips Sheets for U.S. Religious Leaders
National Interfaiths Network
For Professionals, Teachers, Parents, and Others Working with Children
- Activity Book For African American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crisis
National Black Child Development Institute / Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health - After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (PDF, 115.30 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (PDF, 42 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
Also in Spanish
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Childhood Traumatic Grief Educational Materials (PDF, 187.7 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Tragic Events
Also in French
Canadian Red Cross - Guiding Adults in Talking to Children about Death and Attending Services (PDF, 52.4 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Listen, Protect and Connect - Model and Teach: Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Students and Teachers (PDF, 2 MB)
Ready.gov - Listen, Protect and Connect: Psychological First Aid for Children and Parents (PDF, 885 KB)
Ready.gov - News and Children
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting (PDF, 78.6 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Parent Tips for Helping Preschool-Age Children after Disasters (PDF, 239 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children after Disasters (PDF, 238 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Psychological First Aid for Schools Field Operations Guide
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting (PDF, 60.8 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Psychosocial Issues for Children and Adolescents in Disasters
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting: Tips for Parents and Professionals
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences - School Violence and the News
Also in Spanish
KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation - Talking to Children about the Shooting (PDF, 79.4 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Tip Sheet for Youth Talking to Journalists about the Shooting (PDF, 43.2 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - What Is Childhood Traumatic Grief?
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Apps and Widgets
- SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Provider Resilience
National Center for Telehealth and Technology, U.S. Department of Defense - Responder Self-Care
University of Minnesota School of Public Health - Mobile App: Prolonged Exposure (PE) Coach
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Mobile App: Psychological First Aid (PFA) Mobile
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Mobile App: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Coach
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Training Courses and Instructional Materials
- Mental Health Consequences of a Disaster
Free registration required
Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University - Psychological First Aid in Radiation Disasters
Free registration required
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Psychological First Aid Online
Free registration required
National Child Traumatic Stress Network, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Surviving Field Stress for First Responders
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Building Workforce Resilience through the Practice of Psychological First Aid - A Course for Supervisors and Leaders
National Association of County & City Health Officials
Multilingual Resources
Arabic
- Mental Health in Emergencies: Mental and Social Aspects of Health of Populations Exposed to Extreme Stressors (PDF, 73.5 KB)
World Health Organization
Chinese
- Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide, 2nd Edition (PDF, 4.1 MB)
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / National Child Traumatic Stress Network, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
French
- La Santé mentale dans les Situations d’urgence: Aspects mentaux et sociaux de la Santé des Populations exposées à des Facteurs de Stress extrême (PDF, 73.5 KB) (Mental Health in Emergencies: Mental and Social Aspects of Health of Populations Exposed to Extreme Stressors) (PDF, 71.7 KB)
World Health Organization - Vaincre la peur: Aider les jeunes à faire face au terrorisme et aux événements tragiques (Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Tragic Events)
Canadian Red Cross
Japanese
- Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide, 2nd Edition (PDF, 1.1 MB)
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / National Child Traumatic Stress Network, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Russian
- Mental Health in Emergencies: Mental and Social Aspects of Health of Populations Exposed to Extreme Stressors (PDF, 73.5 KB)
World Health Organization
Spanish
- Caja de Herramientas Para Educadores Para el Manejo de Trauma Infantil (Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators) (PDF, 558.5 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Enfrentarse con desastres (Coping with Disasters)
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health - La salud mental en las emergencias: Aspectos mentales y sociales de la salud de poblaciones expuestas a factores estresantes extremos (Mental Health in Emergencies: Mental and Social Aspects of Health of Populations Exposed to Extreme Stressors) (PDF, 73.5 KB)
World Health Organization - La violencia en la escuela y las noticias (School Violence and the News)
KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation - Línea de Ayuda (Disaster Distress Helpline)
Teléfono: 1-800-985-5990 Mensaje SMS: "Hablanos" al 66746
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Preparativos y recuperación ante un desastre (Disaster Preparation and Recovery)
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health - Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos: Guía de Operaciones Prácticas, 2da edición (Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide, 2nd Edition) (PDF, 3.4 MB)
National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / National Child Traumatic Stress Network, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Sugerencias para hablar con niños y jóvenes y ayudarlos a hacer frente después de un desástre o un evento traumático: una guía para padres, cuidadores y maestros (Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers (Spanish version))
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Tragedias y Periodistas (Tragedies and Journalists: A Guide for More Effective Coverage)
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism - Trastorno de estrés postraumático (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
Resources for the General Public
Health information for the general public about hazards, emergencies, and disasters is available in MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus resources are also available in Spanish.