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TRAUMA COPING INFORMATION

Many people will experience a traumatic event  at some point in their lives and as a result some might experience reactions, personal and environmental changes that interfere with their daily life. Such stress overwhelms one’s ability to cope. Practicing coping techniques can attend to the stress that is caused by such transformations in ones life and community.

Here are some activities you can do to help cope:

 •  Use your friends and family for support. They can enhance your healing process by listening and empathizing with you regarding what happened.

 •  Reach out to support groups that may develop in the community. Sharing your feeling with others who shared a similar experience may be helpful for you.

 •  Reach out to professional mental health practitioners for additional support and guidance in dealing with the incident.

 •  Use the community programs, such as American Red Cross or United Way that may be readily available after a traumatic event or disaster. They can provide you or direct you to resources that could decrease other stressors that may have appeared after the disaster such lack of food, clothing, property damage and loss of personal belongings.

 •  Try not to isolate yourself; spend time with close friends and family. They can offer support, love and safety.

 •  Keep the name and number of an immediate person you can call in case you need someone to talk too. Feelings may come and go quickly and talking to a loved one may help.

 •  Self care is important in the recovery process. Activities such as exercise, eating healthy foods, getting sufficient sleep and using relaxations techniques can decrease unpleasant reactions such as anxiety and irritability. For further relaxation techniques, click here.
  The Trauma Center
  Mind Tools

 •  Stay away from drugs and alcohol. They can only temporarily ease the pain and discomfort after a traumatic event.

  •  If possible, don’t make any major decisions for a time after a traumatic event. Give yourself and family time to adjust and heal before significant changes are made with lifestyle, employment or residence.

 •  Limit your exposure to images, reports and media representations of the traumatic event.
 

For further information regarding coping, visit:
 •   Center for Disease Control
 •   American Psychological Association
 •   NCPTSD
 •   SAMHSA
 •   National Child Trauma Stress Network
 

Coping Fact Sheets:

For Parents:
 •   NASP - Children and War
 •   NASP - Helping Children Cope
 •   NASP - Parents Called to Active Duty
     ◦  Fact sheets in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese 
 •   National Child Trauma Stress Network  National Child Trauma Stress Network

For Teachers:
 •   SAMHSA
 •   National Child Trauma Stress Network  National Child Trauma Stress Network

For Children:
 •   NASP - Parents Called to Active Duty
     ◦  Fact sheets in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese
 •   NMHA - Helping Children Cope with Loss
 •   National Child Trauma Stress Network
 •   The SIDRAN Institute
     ◦  Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy

For College Students:
 •   National Mental Health Association

Older Adults:
 •   National Mental Health Association

For Professionals:
 •   Center for Disease Control
 •   FEMA

Mental Health Consumers:
 •   National Mental Health Association

Special Needs:
 •   Project Cope