Mental Health America Offers Help to California Wildfire Victims

As more and more people flee from the California wildfires, there is a growing concern over the mental anguish people may have to endure. It is not uncommon for victims to suffer from post traumatic stress disorders, anxiety and sleeplessness -- even if you aren't directly a victim of the disaster.

With this in mind, Mental Health America of San Diego County has issued a press release offering tips on how to deal with the tragedy of the California wildfires. They also provided a list of symptoms and actions that victims may be experiencing or having while trying to make sense of the disaster. Sleeplessness, disbelief, shock, increased alcohol use, depression and a sense of powerlessness can overtake victims without them even knowing it.

Wildfire victims, family members and loved ones are also encouraged to watch out for change in eating patterns (such as loss of appetite and overeating), sudden crying and nightmares.

Mental Health America suggests several ways to cope with the situations and symptoms related to the California wildfires:

Talk about it with other victims. Discussing your feelings with people in similar situations related to the wildfires may give you a sense of common ground and feelings that you are not alone, according to Mental Health America.

Limit exposure to images of the disaster. Try not to constantly watch news reports or view pictures of affected areas near your home. Watching reports over and over again will only add to your stress.

Avoid drugs and excessive drinking. It may be tempting to have one or two drinks to alleviate the stress of the disaster, but that could lead to many more under strenuous conditions.

Do something positive. Find time to help other victims, donate blood or assist people in rebuilding. Mental Health America suggests that it gives people a sense of control over the situation once they are able to do something good.

Ask for help when you need it. With disasters as large as the California wildfires, handling the problems associated with it alone could become easily overwhelming. Seek out professional counselors and mental health technicians. Mental Health America encourages victims to also speak with trusted friends, doctors and spiritual leaders to get mental relief.

To date, over 600 square miles have been burned from California wildfires since 20 October. Over 500,000 people have been evacuated and 1,500 homes destroyed, with 68,000 more in danger of being consumed in flames. The fires stretch from the top of Los Angeles to the border of Mexico below San Diego.

The Access Crisis Line can be reached at 1-800-479-3339. Mental Health America can be reached at 619-543-0412.

SOURCE:
PR Newswire

URL:
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-23-2007/0004688546&EDATE=