Natural calamities and disasters have a long-lasting impact on the environment and communities. A flood, an earthquake, a forest fire, a hurricane, or even a pandemic can cause casualties and disrupt a community’s daily activities.
Disasters can negatively affect people’s emotional well-being. Therefore, government bodies and local authorities must relocate disaster-struck people to other temporary shelters when situations are intense.
Survivors often suffer more from the aftereffects of disasters than from the disaster itself. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and relocation stress syndrome are two common types of anxiety, depression, and stress.
What is Relocation Stress?
When relocation occurs immediately after a disaster strikes a community, it tends to cause severe symptoms. Residents of a community can be put under considerable stress if they have to evacuate unexpectedly during a disaster. During the evacuation, people may feel neglected by the government and society. A victim may also feel that the evacuation wasn’t prepared in time.
How To Manage Stress in Relocated Communities?
Individuals and communities rely on public health officials to protect and improve their physical and mental health. Public health workers are uniquely qualified to deal with relocation stress and help the community cope with it.
In a relocated community, public health officials strive to share health information and raise health awareness. Additionally, they brainstorm locations for the distribution of medicine during and after a catastrophe, known as points of dispensing or PODs. After a significant disaster, these officials are often called upon to coordinate a rescue operation and prevent adverse effects, including relocation stress. Social workers, nutritionists, psychologists, and nurses are all public health workers.
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What Are The Common Relocation-Stress Related Issues?
Stress is a normal and short-term reaction to unexpected events in life that most people show in a community. It is important, however, that hospitals and public health officials recognize symptoms that may be caused by relocation after a natural disaster.
While some people recover fairly quickly from relocation stress, others suffer from distressing thoughts that ultimately manifest as physical symptoms. It is also possible for such people to engage in challenging and risky behaviors. Losing a loved one or witnessing casualties can also lead to mental disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even suicidal thoughts.
Stress can be triggered by a disaster, a relocation, or both. Here are a few signs that someone needs crisis management assistance:
- Feelings of intensity or unpredictability
- Substance abuse
- Behavioral and mental changes
- An aversion to loud noises, burning smells, or sirens
- Anxiety and sleep disorders
- Communication difficulties
- Confusion and disorientation
- Social isolation
The following factors may contribute to mental health issues associated with evacuations and relocations:
- Property damage or loss that is extreme
- Life and routines suddenly change
- Family and friend separation
- Deaths of loved ones during or after disasters
- Paranoia over the unknown people and location
Five Ways To Help Communities Cope With Relocation Stress
In the aftermath of a disaster, disaster recovery plans often begin immediately after victims have been evacuated from the area, and they can take weeks or months to complete. Relocating victims’ mental and emotional strengths are also the primary objective of the recovery process. Relocated communities benefit from emotional, administrative, and health support provided by local authorities and public health officials.
Relocation stress can be effectively managed by taking the following steps:
- Support groups at the local level
The setup of local groups must be led by trained and experienced professionals, most of whom are public health professionals. Providing emotional support and motivation to victims will help them through difficult times.
In addition to providing support and assistance with everyday issues, local support groups also assess people’s tangible losses. Disaster management programs and local authorities collaborate with them to help disaster-affected people rebuild their lives.
Additionally, local support groups provide comfort and a sense of belonging for people.
- Take a moment to hear their stories
It is not common for everyone to open up and communicate their thoughts in a local group. Hence, some of these individuals going through trauma could benefit greatly from individualized care.
People suffering from emotional trauma may benefit from the assistance of nurses, physicians, and psychiatrists. By asking more questions and showing emotional support, professionals are more likely to gain their trust and encourage them to speak about their needs.
- Understand the emotional impact of disasters
The key to helping stressful communities and individuals cope with stress is to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences. Therapy, medication, and psychological support can help these people cope with the aftermath of the disaster in a more bearable and less depressing manner.
- Motivate people to adopt healthy behaviors
Having community discussions, programs to raise awareness, and one-on-one sessions can assist these people in returning to their routines. All ages benefit greatly from healthy activities when it comes to relieving relocation stress.
- Providing medical assistance in extreme cases
Counseling and emotional therapies are often ineffective for individuals in relocated communities who show a persistent sense of hopelessness and distress. Medical intervention may be necessary in such cases.
A public health official can ensure that the area is equipped with competent health facilities and that these individuals receive proper medical treatment.
Conclusion
Generally, relocation stress is temporary, and people are able to cope with it and resume their normal routines afterward. Those suffering from extreme stress, especially after losing a loved one, or their homes, can find it difficult to cope with stress.
However, it is possible to help these individuals. They can manage their stress and become proactive members of their communities with the help of social welfare organizations, community groups, and public health officials.
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