LCSD COVID-19 Mental Health Awareness Volume I | Page 25

Rescue workers can reduce survivors’ fear and anxiety by using compassionate
communication. When communicating with survivors, rescue workers should:
⊲ ⊲ Clearly identify themselves and their role in disaster response.
⊲ ⊲ Communicate calmly, slowly, and with empathy.
⊲ ⊲ Be factual, avoid answering questions outside their area of expertise, and
avoid speculation.
⊲ ⊲ Acknowledge and be tolerant of strong emotions and behaviors.
What can community members do
after a traumatic event?
After a traumatic event, community members should identify and address their own
feelings as this may allow them to help others more effectively.
Community members can help children and adolescents by:
⊲ ⊲ Offering their buildings and institutions as gathering places to promote support
⊲ ⊲ Helping families identify mental health professionals who can counsel children
⊲ ⊲ Helping children develop coping skills, problem-solving skills, and ways to deal
with fear
⊲ ⊲ Holding parent meetings to discuss the event, their child’s response, and how
parents can help their child
⊲ ⊲ Being sensitive to different cultural responses to trauma and stress
Trauma Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Caring for Children in a Disaster
Website: www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters
Disaster Assistance Improvement Program
Website: www.disasterassistance.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Website: www.fema.gov
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Website: www.nctsn.org
Ready—A national public service campaign
Website: www.ready.gov/kids
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Website: www.samhsa.gov/disaster-preparedness
Uniformed Services University
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Website: www.cstsonline.org