•Take care of your safety•

Find a place that is away from danger and make sure your physical health needs and those of your family are addressed. If you need medical attention, find a way to get help.

•Get some rest•

With so much to do, it may be difficult to have enough time to rest or get adequate sleep. Giving your body and mind a break can boost your ability to cope with the stress you may be experiencing.

•Healthy eating•

Make sure you get the nourishment that you need. During times of stress, it is important to hydrate. Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet.

•Stay connected with your support network, family and friends•

Getting the support you need is important. People recover from trauma at a faster rate when they have the support they need.

•Stay as calm as you can•

It helps to be patient, compassionate and empathic. This is a very stressful experience. It will take time to return to feeling sturdy.

•Set goals•

Prioritize things that need special attention.

•Find information and resources•

Help you and your family members find ways to meet your disaster-related needs.

•Stay positive•

If you can, try to be a participant observer to your experience. Think about past experiences that were difficult and remember how you were able to get through them. Find the help you need for support, and assist others.

•Assess yourself coping with the help of others•

Individuals who have had stressful experiences take time to recover from them. For some it takes days, for others longer. If the stress does not diminish, and you find it affecting your ability to think clearly, your mood, or your relationships with others, please seek help.

•If you or a loved one continues to have symptoms for two weeks or longer, it would help to get assistance. The following are symptoms that must be addressed and evaluated by a professional•

Continuous crying or outbursts of anger
Problems with eating and sleeping
Loss of interest in things, activities, family and friends
Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches and fatigue
Feeling guilty, helpless or hopeless

For additional help contact Dr. Cathy Citron-Bilovsky 818-783-0404 or another mental health professional.

•Notify family and friends•

If your community has experienced a disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website available through http://www.RedCross.org to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.

Resource: RedCross.org