Coping and Helping Others Cope

When disaster strikes, often people react with increased anxiety, worry and anger. With support from community and family, most of us bounce back. However, some may need extra assistance to cope with unfolding events and uncertainties.

If you are experiencing emotional distress due to the storm, call the National Disaster Distress Helpline. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-8​00-985-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746).

Learn to Cope and Recognize Stress

• Tips for survivors of traumatic stress
• Disaster Distress Helpline and related resources
• Resources to help cope with a traumatic event
• Tips for survivors of traumatic stress: managing your stress
• Tips for survivors of traumatic stress: what to expect in your personal, family, work, and financial life
• Helping families deal with the stress of relocation after a disaster​

Domestic Abuse

• Preventing violence after a natural disaster​
• National Domestic Violence Hotline  

Helping Children Cope

• Tips for talking with and helping children and youth cope after a disaster or traumatic event
• Simple activities for children and adolescents during a power outages
• Games and activities: start a conversation with these games, coloring pages and activty sheets related to hurricanes​
• Helping young children and families cope with trauma
• Parent tips for helping infants and toddlers after disasters: understanding common reactions
• The effects of trauma on schools and learning
• Resources for schools on helping students with early and intermediate recovery
• Psychosocial issues for children and adolescents in disaster
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network