We often think about storm preparations in terms of things like generators and food supplies, but how can you prepare ahead of time in terms of mental health?
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00:00Now during hurricane season, you also need a plan for your mental health. Christian Burgess is the
00:05director of the Disaster Distress Helpline and an author at Vibrant Emotional Health. Christian,
00:12thanks so much for being with us. I am such a proponent of taking care of your mental health
00:15and of being prepared, so this is a perfect interview for you and me.
00:19Thank you. Good morning, and thanks for having me on. Just a minor correction is that I'm not
00:24an author at Vibrant Emotional Health. I'm actually a staff member. I work for Vibrant
00:29Emotional Health as director of the Disaster Distress Helpline. All right, well maybe we're
00:34getting you into the future here, and maybe one day you'll be writing a book and then we can't
00:38wait to read it. Thank you, though, for that correction. All right, let's get into some of
00:42our questions here because a lot of people often can seek mental health after a disaster, but what
00:47can you do ahead of a storm to prepare yourself mentally before what could be some dangerous or
00:53even life-threatening weather? That's a great question. So, before a disaster, one way to
00:59prepare yourself mentally is actually to practice emergency preparedness for yourself and your
01:05family. Whether before a hurricane or other potential disaster, if you take steps for
01:11yourself and loved ones to prepare, this can actually help you and them feel calmer and more
01:16controlled. You should also include resources for coping in your emergency plan. For example,
01:22if you're preparing to evacuate and you have a go bag, include items that can help you and your
01:28family cope with stress, such as a journal or a coloring book, games, things that can help distract
01:34you in healthy ways and also help you channel feelings of anxiety. And another tip is to become
01:40familiar with the Disaster Distress Helpline as an emotional support resource that you and loved
01:45ones can access 24-7 by calling or texting us at 1-800-985-5990. Before a disaster, we also
01:54recommend that people save DDH information to your phone so that it's there and accessible when you
02:00need it. And you can also go to samhsa.gov forward slash DDH, that's samhsa.gov forward slash DDH,
02:09where you can download a free brochure to print and add that to your go bag as well.
02:15All right. When we talk about hurricanes and severe weather, it can be especially frightening
02:19and difficult for children. So how can parents and caregivers help kids ahead of time?
02:25You're right. So I recommend that people give children and youth assurance that even if severe
02:32weather is forecast, that you'll be there with them and that there are people in your community
02:37helping to keep your family safe no matter what, like emergency responders. Also involving kids
02:43in emergency preparedness activities can help them feel calmer and more controlled as well,
02:48just like for adults. People can go to ready.gov. They have great resources there,
02:54including in different languages for people with disabilities, for taking care of pets.
03:00Also, I think that adults should role model for kids staying as calm as possible because they'll
03:06pick up on that kind of energy and knowing that it's okay to stay calm despite whatever is going
03:13on. I also recommend that people try to keep as many normal routines as possible, even if you have
03:19to adapt those when severe weather is forecast. And then finally, invite kids to ask any questions
03:25they may have. They need information, too, in order to understand what's going on.
03:30All right. During the thick of hurricane season, the pace of several storms
03:34possible can happen week after week, and that can take a toll. So
03:38how would you help people to stay vigilant but not feel overwhelmed?
03:42Yeah, that's really important. I recommend that people take breaks from media
03:48to get the news that you need in intervals, but step away as well so that you can still
03:53focus on whatever necessary tasks you have to perform, whether at home, school, or work.
04:00Also, be mindful that when you're accessing news about hurricanes, including on social media,
04:05use only trusted sources. I think that subscribing to alerts from local emergency management is a
04:12good idea so that important information will come to you as needed versus you having to
04:17constantly check for updates. Christian Burgess, Director of the
04:22Disaster Distress Helpline, thank you so much for all that important information,
04:26and we appreciate you being with us this morning. You're welcome. Thank you so much for having me.