Disaster Fatigue
“Since COVID-19 started, we’ve lived in various states of stress, depression, exhaustion, sleep problems, anger, and growing cynicism,” Dr. Chatigny says. “We’re tired of seeing the news. We’re tired of seeing the numbers, the forecasts, the predictions. We’re worn out, honestly. And in some people already prone to anxiety or clinical depression, the toll can be even worse.”
Recent area fires may have triggered psychological stress. Past experiences of disasters, including memories, smells, sights, and sounds, can evoke feelings from the past and/or new ones from a recent event.
These are normal. You are having a normal reaction to an abnormal and stressful situation. This can seem more intense than in the past, possibly because you have “been through this before” and so may feel heavier than before, and/or just can feel heavier because it can seem like it's one thing after another. Those can all cause significant stress and wear us down physically, mentally, and emotionally.
There are three intensity stress levels. Eustress (positive, motivating type of stress), Distress (excessive stress), and Dysfunctional (which becomes an impairment in our lives).
Disasters often cause distress, which is understandable in such situations.
It's important to manage this stress and access supports that can help reduce these stressors. Below are additional resources, tips, and ways you can help reduce stress and disaster fatigue.
Resources
SAMHSA Hotlines SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline
Toll-Free: 1-800-985-5990 (English and español)
SMS: Text TalkWithUs to 66746 SMS (español): “Hablanos” al 66746 TTY: 1-800-846-8517
Website in English: https://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
Website in Spanish: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/espanol
CalHOPE (833) 317-HOPE (4673)
Live Chat on website Website- https://Calhope.org
California Surgeon General’s Playbook for Stress https://osg.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/266/2022/05/california-surgeon-general_stress-busting-playbook.pdf
Coping With Stress During A Disaster
What You Should Know When you hear, read, or watch news about a disaster, you may feel anxious and show signs of stress—even when the disaster affects people far from where you live. These signs of stress are normal and may be more likely or pronounced in people with loved ones in parts of the world affected by the disaster. In the wake of a disaster, monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress, and know when to get help.
Know the Signs of Stress
What follows are behavioral, physical, emotional, and cognitive responses that are all common signs of anxiety and stress. You may notice some of them after you learn about a disaster.
Your Behavior:
- An increase or decrease in your energy and activity levels
- An increase in your alcohol, tobacco, or use of illegal drugs
- An increase in irritability, with outbursts or anger, and frequent arguing
- Having trouble relaxing or sleeping
- Crying frequently
- Worrying excessively
- Wanting to be alone most of the time
- Blaming other people for everything
- Having difficulty communicating or listening
- Having difficulty giving or accepting help
- Inability to feel pleasure or have fun
Your Body:
- Having stomachaches or diarrhea
- Having headaches and other pains
- Losing your appetite or eating too much
- Sweating or having chills
- Getting tremors or muscle twitches
- Being easily startled
Your Emotions:
- Being anxious or fearful
- Feeling depressed
- Feeling guilty
- Feeling angry
- Feeling heroic, euphoric, or invulnerable
- Not caring about anything
and feeling overwhelmed by sadness
Your Thinking:
- Having trouble remembering things
- Feeling confused
- Having trouble thinking clearly and
concentrating
- Having difficulty making decisions
Know When To Get Help
You may experience serious distress when you hear about a disaster, even if you are at little or no risk of the disaster itself. If you or someone you know shows signs of stress (see list above) for several days or weeks, get help by accessing one of the resources at the end of this tip sheet.
Contact the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline right away if you or someone you know threatens to hurt or kill
him- or herself or someone else, or talks or writes
about death, dying, or suicide.
Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline
988
Know How To Relieve Stress
You can manage and alleviate your stress by
Take time to take care of yourself.
Keep Things In Perspective:
Set limits on how much time you spend reading or watching news about disasters. You will want to stay up to date on disaster news, particularly if you have loved ones in areas where the disaster has occurred. But make sure to take time away from the news to focus on what is going well in your life and what you can control.
Get The Facts:
Find people and resources you can depend on for accurate information. Learn from them about the disaster and how you can protect yourself if you are at risk. You may turn to a state or local health department, U.S. government agencies, or an international organization.
Keep Yourself Healthy:
- Eat healthy foods, and drink water.
- Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and
alcohol.
- Do not use tobacco or illegal drugs.
- Get enough sleep and rest.
- Get physical exercise.
Use Practical Ways To Relax
- Relax your body often by doing things that
work for you—take deep breaths, stretch,
meditate, wash your face and hands, or
engage in pleasurable hobbies.
- Pace yourself between stressful activities,
and do a fun thing after a hard task.
- Use time off to relax—eat a good meal, read,
listen to music, take a bath, or talk to family.
- Talk about your feelings to loved ones and
friends often.
Pay Attention to Your Body, Feelings, and Spirit
- Recognize and heed the early warning signs of
stress.
- Recognize how your own past experiences
affect your way of thinking and feeling about
this event, and think of how you handled your
thoughts, emotions, and behavior around
past events.
- Know that feeling stressed, depressed, guilty,
Or anger is common after an event like an
infectious disease outbreak, even when it
does not directly threaten you.
- Connect with others who may be experiencing
stress about the outbreak. Talk about your
feelings about the outbreak, share reliable
health information, and enjoy conversation
unrelated to the outbreak, to remind yourself
of the many important and positive things in
your lives.
- Take time to renew your spirit through
meditation, prayer, or helping others in need. - 1b*
Fresno County Resources
Behavioral Health
-
Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline 9-8-8
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Fresno County Behavioral Health Access Line 1 800 654-3937
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Mobile Crisis Response for Mental Health or Substance Use (559) 600-6000
Public Health
Información en Español
Information in Hmong
View & Download the Phases of Disaster pdf(PDF, 103KB)
Disaster Fatigue Tips for First Responders
Tips Include:
- Preparing for the Disaster: Know your role in the response, practice, keep a go-kit in your car, and live a disaster-ready lifestyle.
- Practice stress management: Know your personal signs of stress, take time for yourself, find effective ways to release stress, control your breathing, and practice healthy sleep habits.
- Prepare with your loved ones: Be disaster-ready at home. Have a plan so you know your loved ones are safe and your possessions are protected. Develop a communication plan.
During the Disaster:
- Attend daily briefings to stay informed.
-
Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the situation.
-
Understand your assigned role and responsibilities.
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Review and mentally rehearse your response as you arrive on scene.
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Take scheduled breaks and pace your workload.
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Limit prolonged exposure to extremely intense work conditions.
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Use stress-management techniques to protect your physical and mental well-being.
- Maintain clear and regular communication with your team.
- Be self-aware: Recognize your personal stress signs and your team's.
- Avoid over-identifying with survivors' grief and trauma: Remind yourself you are OK, this is not a disaster that has directly impacted you. Use stress management tools, know where to refer survivors to supports and helpful services.
- Disaster Recovery: Conserve energy, recognize fatigue as a stress response. Take time away from the scene by alternating duties. Use stress management tools. Focus on reintegration with friends and family.
Available resources online from SAMHSA and the Red Cross Central Valley Residents Experiencing Disaster Fatigue:
HOW TO COPE
Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health Offers Resources to Those Struggling with Mental Health in Times of Crisis.
The Creek Fire, coupled with COVID-19, has left many Fresno County residents dealing with “disaster fatigue.” Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health urges anyone who may be struggling to reach out for help.
Disaster fatiguerefers to the constant exposure to negative or distressing news. This can include global events like COVID-19 and its impacts—such as job loss, isolation from friends and family, and increased stress—as well as regional events like wildfires or national disasters such as hurricanes across the country
Disaster Distress Helplineis a free, confidential, 24/7 national hotline that provides immediate crisis counseling to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. The service is available year-round, offers support in multiple languages, and is open to all residents of the United States and its territories.
• English: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• Spanish: 1-800-985-5990 and press “2” or text Hablanos to 66746
Resources
SAMHSA Hotlines SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline
Toll-Free: 1-800-985-5990 (English and español)
SMS: Text TalkWithUs to 66746 SMS (español): “Hablanos” al 66746 TTY: 1-800-846-8517
Website in English: https://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
Website in Spanish: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/espanol
Fresno County Resources
Fresno County Behavioral Health Access Line 1 800 654-3937
Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988
Let's add Mobile Crisis Response Team (559) 600-6000