Disaster Psychology
DISASTER PSYCHOLOGY
CERT members should prepare themselves for their role during and following a disaster crisis. The CERT member needs to be aware of the impact of disaster on a CERT team member and others, both emotionally and physically.
Some techniques for managing one's personal situation and the victims in a disaster crisis, so the needs of both can be met:
A. The CERT team well-being ---
1. During a disaster, you may hear and see things that will be extremely unpleasant.
2. Do not over identify with the survivor. Taking on the victims feelings as your own can effect your own judgment.
3. Be sure you get yourself in the right "mind set" to be able to handle traumatized victims.
4. Be alert to signs of disaster trauma in yourself.
5. Emphasize that the CERT is a team. As a team, brief members on the disaster situation, rest and regroup, take breaks, rotate team.
Some examples of psychological symptoms:
a. irritability or anger
b. self-blame
c. denial
d. fear of reoccurrence of the crisis
e. depression, feeling numb or overwhelmed
B. Working with the survivor's trauma:
1. 4 emotional stages that a survivor can experience:
a. The impact phase of the disaster. Some survivors may not even show any emotion, or they may panic.
b. The inventory phase which follows the disaster - survivors assess damage and try to locate other survivors.
c. Rescue phase - emergency services personnel (including CERTs) are responding and survivors are willing to take their direction from these groups.
d. Recovery phase - some survivors appear to pull together against their rescuers, some of this fear may be directed toward a CERT member.
When providing support to a survivor, a CERT member should:
1. Assess the survivor’s injury.
2. Listen carefully and watch what words you choose to respond to a victim.
3. Use tactful questions, rather than saying you understand the survivor’s feelings or situation.
REMEMBER: to take care of one's own feelings and utilize what steps work for you to relieve stress before, during and after a disaster crisis.
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