Stress in the Midwest

The American Psychological Association recently released results from their annual Stress in America Survey. The following is an article from the APA related to those results:

Americans in the Midwest, on average, report lower levels of stress than people in other regions. The majority also say they are doing enough to manage their stress despite reporting that their stress levels have largely stayed the same this year. What’s more, they report fewer unhealthy behaviors as a result of stress.

More Midwesterners say that they are doing enough to manage their stress this year (62 percent in 2012 vs. 56 percent in 2011).

Even still, average stress levels in the Midwest exceed what people living in the region define as a healthy level of stress (4.7 average stress level vs. 3.3 healthy stress level on a 10-point scale).

Midwesterners are more likely than other Americans to say that their stress has stayed the same over the past year (50 percent compared with 45 percent in the South and West and 42 percent in the East), but one-third (33 percent) still say their stress increased during that time frame.

Money (74 percent), work (65 percent) and the economy (65 percent) remain the most commonly reported sources of stress for Midwesterners.

When asked what they do to manage stress, Midwesterners most commonly report exercising or walking (51 percent), listening to music (50 percent) and spending time with friends or family (46 percent). Midwesterners are more likely than people living across the country to turn to friends and family for stress relief (46 percent vs. 39 percent nationally).

The number of Midwesterners who say they have lain awake at night or overeaten, eaten unhealthy foods or skipped a meal because of stress has declined in the past year.

• Thirty-nine percent of people in the Midwest say they have lain awake at night due to stress (compared with 46 percent in 2011).
• Thirty-seven percent say they have overeaten or eaten unhealthy foods because of stress (compared with 44 percent in 2011).
• Twenty-four percent say they have skipped a meal because of stress (compared with 35 percent in 2011).

Despite their desire to live healthier lifestyles, many in the Midwest, on average, appear to be having difficulty reaching their healthy living goals. Midwesterners are also more likely than people in other regions to feel that a lack of willpower is preventing them from making these changes. They are, however, increasingly likely to recognize that psychologists can help with making lifestyle and behavior changes.

Read more of this article

How is your New Year's Resolution going so far?

Steps to New Year’s Resolution Success


By: Nicolette Howells

Fact: In an article published in April 2002 in Journal of Clinical Psychology (Vol. 58, No. 4), University of Scranton psychology professor John Norcross, PhD, noted that readiness to change, or how prepared a person is to enter the action stage of behavior change, is the single best predictor of New Year’s resolution success.



Consider these 6 tips to help you find success in your New Year’s resolutions.



Start small. Resolutions that are attainable are ones you think you can keep. Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing one night of eating out a week with a meal at home. Once this is successful, you can set your next healthy eating goal.



Change one behavior at a time. Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time, making replacing them with healthy ones difficult. This will take time. Don’t get overwhelmed by changing your entire routine. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.



Rise and sing. Set your iPod or alarm clock to wake you with your favorite song so you start every morning humming a happy tune. Music is a great stress-buster, especially when you listen to songs you really like. Waking in a good mood will help you feel motivated and confident that you can reach your goals.



Take a breather. When your job or kids are driving you crazy, go somewhere quiet, close your eyes, and count backward from 10 to zero, taking one deep breath for each number. Relieving your stress is an important step in keeping to your goals.



Find laughter. Laughter is a powerful stress reliever. It can soothe your mind and keep you in a positive mindset. Calling a funny friend or watching a comedic video or show for just 15 minutes can help soothe your mind.



Don’t beat yourself up. Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal. Everyone has ups and downs, the key to success is to resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.



Information taken from the following helpful links:



WebMD



APA Help Center

Successfully Empowering Male Survivors of Sexual Victimization to Thrive

Successfully Empowering Male Survivors of Sexual Victimization to Thrive

a guest post by Howard Fradkin, Ph.D.


Male survivors face special challenges to achieve mental health, and the good news is it is possible and achievable to overcome these challenges and help them not only survive and heal, but to actually thrive.  As a Psychologist, we have an incredible opportunity to be agents of change for these men and those who love and support them.


One in 6 men has been sexually victimized by the age of 16, according to social science research (www.jimhopper.com) One in 8 rape victims is a man.  These statistics represent an epidemic of silence that has the potential to severely damage the lives of boys and men who do not get help.  We've all heard about the recent scandals:  Jerry Sandusky, the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, even Sesame Street.  It seems once a week our local papers have yet another article about the crimes being committed against boys and girls.  But often, by virtue of language, "abused children" does not translate to boys in many people's minds; they think about the girls.  Without minimizing the horrendous crimes done to 1 in 4 girls, we must as a society wake up to the huge numbers of boys and men who are also being victimized.


Typically, male survivors face many mental health challenges, including depression and suicidality, anxiety disorders, damaged self esteem, impaired ability to embrace masculinity, difficulty with trust and forming intimate relationships, and engaging in addictive behaviors including alcoholism, substance abuse, sex addiction and gambling.  Many of these illnesses are rooted in the deep shame that male survivors bury deep inside their souls, fearful for anyone to know the truth of what was done to them.  Survivors of course are even fearful of telling us!  And truthfully, many of them do not even know about their own abuse, or have suppressed so deeply in their bodies, minds and souls, that they are not able to connect the dots between their current dysfunction and the betrayal of their bodies years, maybe even decades before.

Treatment is now readily available in many communities thanks to the training efforts of MaleSurvivor.org and 1in6.org, and our own Ohio Psychological Association.   MaleSurvivor and 1in6 are very important resources for any of your clients who do identify as survivors.  They host extensive websites that offer chatrooms, bulletin boards, articles, bookstores, and access to support groups and psychotherapists who can all provide help.  

Have you received specific training in working with male survivors?  There are significant differences, including the most important:  your recognition that men can indeed be survivors of sexual abuse.  I am amazed at how many male survivors I have worked with who have been to therapy for years, but were never asked the right questions that might have led them to uncover their shameful secrets of being abused.  True, some of them were not ready to talk, but I am convinced that many of them were giving lots of signs to their therapists about their histories, but because the right questions were not asked, they chose not to walk down that path either.

Men are especially vulnerable to male socialization which teaches many destructive messages that must be unlearned in order to heal.  The most significant of these messages are: Men must be strong and tough; men who ask for help are weak; men should always be in control and if they are abused, it is a sign of their weakness.  Thankfully, in our profession, we are skilled at helping men who seek therapy learn how to honor their courage and strength in seeking help for their problems.  Men need a great deal of reassurance that it is okay to talk about abuse, and that you will not judge them.  Too often, men are afraid they will hear from their therapist that they should have been stronger, or should have told someone instead of hiding and burying the secret.  And some are afraid they'll be labeled as perpetrators, or presumed they will become perpetrators simply because they were victimized.

I believe that healing is a process of learning to be disloyal to dysfunction and loyal to functionality.  Each of these damaging dysfunctional messages must be challenged, not just intellectually, but emotionally and physically as well.   Men can be helped to be loyal to functional messages such as:  it is a sign of strength for a man to courageously face the truth of his abuse; men who ask for help will become stronger and more effective and more loving; men can recognize they have zero responsibility for the abuse done to them and that the shame of these actions belongs to the perpetrator who hurt them.  Too often, survivors feel loyal to the perpetrator, and hold on their shame instead of finding ways to release it.  Men can learn to stop choosing to be loyal to dysfunctional ways of coping, such as alcoholism, drug addiction and sex addiction.  They need our support, and they need the support of other male survivors and loved ones to help them overcome their blocks to functionality. 

If you work with male clients, think about the real possibility that 1 in 6 of these men are survivors.  How many are we missing?  

Male survivors need to hear a message of hope.  I for one believe it is ethical and responsible to tell survivors they can survive, they can heal, and yes, they can thrive.  Men need to hear this message of hope.  Too often I think therapists are so cautious that the message male survivors hear instead is, this is a life sentence... it will get better, but you will always suffer from the effects of your abuse.  I am not suggesting we be Polyanna, and tell them it is easy and simple to heal.  Far from it...it is a journey, one with lots of bumps in the road; and many brothers and sisters who will identify, who will offer help, and who really will understand.  I hope you will join forces with me and be a beacon of hope for the 1 in 6 men abused as children and the 1 in 8 adult rape victims who is a man.


Howard Fradkin, Ph.D., LICDC has counseled over 1000 male survivors in individual, couples, group psychotherapy and weekend workshops over the course of his 30-year career as a Psychologist. As Co-Chairperson of the MaleSurvivor Weekends of Recovery, (www.malesurvivor.org) he has co-directed 40 Weekends of Recovery since 2001 for over 880 men. Dr. Fradkin has also trained hundreds of professional colleagues. Dr. Fradkin’s first book, Joining Forces: Empowering Male Survivors to Thrive, was recently published by Hay House in November, 2012.  He is the Co-Founder of Affirmations: A Center for Psychotherapy and Growth, in Columbus.

Taking action to improve our resilience

Why do some people recover quickly from traumatic experiences while others go in to a spiral of negative emotions and reduced functioning? Dr. Donald Meichenbaum, one of the ten most influential psychotherapists of the 20th century,  has some answers in his new book "Roadmap to Resilience: A Guide for Military, Trauma Victims and their Families." Dr. Meichenbaum outlines six different areas of resilience and provides ways that we all can boost ours. For example: exercising regularly, giving back and helping others, expressing gratitude, journal writing, establishing realistic expectations and more. You can find a large list of suggestions on this checklist from the Roadmap to Resilience website.

If you'd like to hear more from Dr. Meichenbaum about resilience, particularly after a trauma, you can hear an interview Todd Finnerty, Psy.D. did with him on the first ever Mental Health Day podcast. Dr. Meichenbaum describes post-traumatic growth and the six domains of resilience. He also talks about ways that you can I can improve our resilience in each area. Check out the podcast now.

Coping with Holiday Temper Tantrums

Coping with Holiday Temper Tantrums

The holidays can be a fantastic, joy-filled time; however they also can sometimes lead to stress. This can be true whether you are a parent or not, but parents sometimes have their own unique sources of stress. The American Psychological Association has offered some Tips for Parents on Managing Holiday Stress 


"APA offers these tips to help parents deal with holiday stress:

Set expectations – Talk to your kids about expectations for gifts and holiday activities. Be open with them if money is an issue. Depending on a child's age, parents can use this as an opportunity to teach their kids about the value of money and responsible spending. And be realistic. Take small concrete steps to deal with holiday tasks instead of overwhelming yourself with goals that are too far reaching for a busy time.Keep things in perspective – Try to consider stressful situations in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing events out of proportion and teach your kids how to keep things in perspective, including what type and the number of gifts they receive.

Make connections – Good relationships with family and friends are important. So, view the holidays as a time to reconnect with people. Additionally, accepting help and support from those who care about you can help alleviate stress. Even volunteering at a local charity with your kids is a good way to connect with others, assist someone in need and teach your kids about the value of helping others.

Take care of yourself – Pay attention to your own needs and feelings during the holiday season. Engage in activities that you and your family enjoy and find relaxing. Taking care of yourself helps keep your mind and body healthy and primed to deal with stressful situations. Consider cutting back television viewing for kids and instead, get the family out together for a winter walk. It promotes activity and takes kids away from sedentary time and possible influence from advertisements."

Sometimes parents have additional sources of stress, including children who may act up. It is fair to speculate that most kids have had a temper tantrum at some point in their lives (and so have you).  However, temper tantrums have been in the news a lot this year. You may have heard that daily temper tantrums are not normal for preschoolers based on a recent study (see last Month's APA Monitor for an article on this.) "While 84 percent of parents reported their children occasionally had tantrums, only 9 percent reported daily outbursts." However, when the extra stress of the holidays come around parents may worry about what their family thinks if their child acts up. They may feel stress or worry that they'll be embarrassed if their child has behavioral issues during the family meal or other holiday activities. They may also have reservations about taking their child to the store during all of the holiday sales and promotions; particularly if their child may tend to have meltdowns if they don't get what they're asking for. It's good to remember the tips about managing your own expectations as well as those of your child.

When it comes to issues like temper tantrums the tips from APA are a good starting point. It is important to not just manage your own expectations, but the expectations of your child (or children). Being clear from the beginning about your expectations for them and taking steps to prevent problems whenever possible is key. Preventing temper tantrums and related difficulties is always easier than trying to deal with them "in-the-heat-of-the-moment." That's why another good tip would be to know your child's "buttons" and manage any triggers or other issues which may tend to lead to these behaviors. For example, if they tend to get crabby when they're hungry or tired it makes sense to stay within their reasonable limits and manage your expectations for them. In that instance you may not want to push it too far past lunch time without a healthy snack during the holidays. Some children do well with their usual routines but the holidays can be a time where routines go out the window and lots of unfamiliar faces may turn up. Try to stick to routines when possible and prepare your child when it's not possible.

However, another recent source of news about "temper tantrums" is the recent announcement by the American Psychiatric Association that they will definitely include a new diagnosis in the next edition of their diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals called the DSM-5. The new diagnosis is called Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, it is a mood disorder that originates in childhood that was introduced with the hope of reducing the number of children who currently receive pediatric bipolar disorder diagnoses.  The diagnosis is for kids who don't have classic manic episodes and who tend to be irritable with frequent temper outbursts. You can read a little more about Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder at the Balanced Mind Foundation's blog (they were formerly called the child and adolescent bipolar foundation).

Some critics have argued that diagnosing kids like this takes the "blame" off of parents when parents deserve the blame. On the other hand, some really great parents sometimes feel that the suggestions that they receive from professionals are implying that it is there fault that their child is showing a developmentally inappropriate level of difficulty with regulating their emotions and solving problems in their daily life. They receive lots of suggestions. There are lots of parenting suggestions for managing kids when temper tantrums start to get out of hand. One book that I like for parents is Ross Greene's "The Explosive Child." In addition to the concepts from Dr. Greene's book, an evidence-based approach that psychologists can also use is called Parent Management Training. While medication is an additional option to consider,  approaches from a psychologist or counselor often rely on the parent's help. This is in-part because a psychologist can only be with the child 45-50 minutes per week (and often less than that). In addition, interventions that work at the "point-of-performance" for the child often have the most success. So if your child is having their temper tantrums at home, at school or somewhere in the community, usually being able to intervene directly  in those settings will be most helpful. Parents and teachers are generally with the child during those times and psychologists will help by being a consultant to try new approaches for preventing temper outbursts and other difficulties from occurring and helping your child learn new skills "at the point-of-performance."  While some embarrassment with family members should be expected and some behavioral concerns occur in most kids now and then, when temper outbursts become frequent and severe it may be time to talk to a psychologist. You can find psychologists in your area by using the American Psychological Association's Psychologist Locator  and the Ohio Psychological Association's Psychologist Referral Program



Todd Finnerty, Psy.D. is a psychologist in Columbus, OH. You can also follow Dr. Finnerty on Twitter.

Superstorm Sandy Resource List

These are resources compiled by the American Psychological Association related to Hurricane Sandy

Superstorm Sandy Resource List

Internet resources

General

·         Managing the Distressful Wait after Superstorm Sandy

Your Mind Your Body Blog

Written by candlelight by New Jersey DRN Coordinator Dr. Ray Hanbury

http://www.yourmindyourbody.org/managing-the-distressful-wait-after-superstorm-sandy/

·         Managing Flood-related Distress by Building Resilience

American Psychological Association

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/flood-distress.aspx

·         Keeping Children Safe in Sandy’s Wake

FEMA

https://www.fema.gov/blog/2012-11-01/keeping-children-safe-sandys-wake

·         Sandy update 4: Staying safe & how to help

FEMA

http://www.fema.gov/blog/2012-10-30/sandy-update-4-staying-safe-how-help

·         Responding to the Distress of Hurricane Sandy

Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/toolkits/responding_to_disaster.asp

·         Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery

ASPR

http://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/Pages/sandy-midatlantic-2012.aspx

·         Coping with Shelter in Place Emergencies

American Red Cross

http://www.cityofsummit.org/filestorage/8242/8298/9106/10824/Coping_With_Shelter-In-Place_Emergencies.pdf

·         Seniors Particularly Vulnerable in Sandy’s Aftermath

The Gerontological Society of America

http://www.geron.org/About Us/press-room/Archived Press Releases/80-2012-press-releases/1387-seniors-particularly-vulnerable-in-sandys-aftermath

·         Disaster Distress Hotline

SAMHSA

http://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/

·         Superstorm Sandy Impact Map

ESRI

http://www.esri.com/news/maps/2012/superstorm-sandy/impact-map.html

·         Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Information

New York City Business Solutions

http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbiz/html/home/home.shtml

·         The Road to Resilience

American Psychological Association

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx 

Specific to children

·         Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers

SAMHSA

http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA12-4732/SMA12-4732.pdf

·         The Great Storm and Flood Recovery: Children's Story & Activity Book

Mentor Research Institute

http://www.mentorresearch.org/Documents/StormFloodColoringBookParentGuide.pdf (English)
http://www.mentorresearch.org/Documents/SpanishFlood%20StormRecoveryParenting.pdf  (Spanish)

·         Listen, Protect and Connect: Psychological First Aid for Children and Parents

Ready.gov

http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/PFA_Parents.pdf

·         Trinka and Sam Children's Booklet

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/trinka_and_sam_final.pdf (English) http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/trinka-y-juan-final-2-11.pdf (Spanish)

·         Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/activities_for_children_and_adolescents.pdf

·         Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after Hurricanes

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/parents_guidelines_talk_children_hurricanes.pdf   (English) http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/ParentGuidelines_SpanishVersion.pdf (Spanish)

·         After the Hurricane: Helping Young Children Heal

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/Helping_Young_Children_Heal.pdf

·         Helping Young Children and Families Cope with Trauma

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/Helping_Young_Children_and_Families_Cope_with_Trauma.pdf (English) http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/Ayudando_a%20_Niqos(as)_y-Familias_a_Enfrentarse_con_el_Trauma.pdf (Spanish)

·         Simple Evacuation Activities for Children and Adolescents

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/simple_evacuation_activities_for_children_and_adolescents_no_supplies_needed.pdf

·         Recovery: After a Flood

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters/floods#tabset-tab-5

·         Recovery: After a Hurricane

http://nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters/hurricanes#tabset-tab-5

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

·         Childhood Traumatic Grief Educational Materials for Parents

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/parents_package1-15-04.pdf

·         Childhood Traumatic Grief Educational Materials for School Personnel

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/schools_package.pdf

·         Teacher Guidelines for Helping Children after Hurricanes

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/teachers_guidelines_talk_children_hurricanes.pdf

News Stories

General

·         “7 Ways to Manage Stress in a Disaster”

CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/31/health/stress-disaster/index.html

·         “Katrina, Joplin survivors offer advice to Sandy victims”

CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/31/living/disaster-survivors-advice-sandy/index.html?iref=allsearch

·         “Cold, gloom can hurt survivors’ safety, mood”

USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/31/cold-gloom-can-hurt-sandy-survivors-safety-mood/1672823/

·         “For Many, 'Superstorm' Sandy Could Take Toll on Mental Health”

U.S. News & World Report

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/11/01/for-many-superstorm-sandy-could-take-toll-on-mental-health

·         “How Disasters Bring Out Our Kindness”

Time

http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/31/how-disasters-bring-out-our-kindness/

·         “Resilience After Hurricane Sandy”

PsychCentral

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/11/06/resilience-after-hurricane-sandy/

·         “The Psychological Damage from Superstorm Sandy”

NPR

http://www.npr.org/2012/10/30/163950601/the-psychological-damage-from-superstorm-sandy?ft=1&f=1128

·         “Mental Health and Hurricane Sandy: What Can We Expect, What Can We Do?”

Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lloyd-i-sederer-md/hurricane-sandy-mental-health_b_2089645.html

·         “For Many, 'Superstorm' Sandy Could Take Toll on Mental Health”

HealthDay
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=670220

·         “Why Climate Disasters Might Not Boost Public Engagement on Climate Change”

New York Times

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/06/why-climate-disasters-might-not-boost-public-engagement-on-climate-change/?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

·         “Elderly Face Challenges Coping With Sandy's Impact”

ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/elderly-face-challenges-coping-sandys-impact-17637455

Specific to children

·         “Elmo Calms Children Frightened by Superstorm Sandy” (video)

ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/superstorm-hurricane-sandy-2012-elmo-calms-children-frightened-17606334

·         “How to Talk Kids about Hurricane Sandy” (video)

ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/hurricane-sandy-talking-kids-storm-halloween-17588659

·         “Post-Sandy, tips for parents with anxious kids”

Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/11/01/post-sandy-tips-for-parents-with-anxious-kids/

·         “Stuck Inside? Entertaining Your Family During Hurricane Sandy”

Parents’ Choice

http://blog.parents-choice.org/2012/10/stuck-inside-entertaining-your-family-during-hurricane-sandy/

·         “Sandy coverage may cause PTSD in anxious children”

CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57546620/sandy-coverage-may-cause-ptsd-in-anxious-children/

·         “Children, teens at risk for lasting emotional impact from hurricane sandy”

Medicalxpress.com

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-children-teens-emotional-impact-hurricane.html

Research

·         La Greca, A.M., Silverman, W.K., et al. (2010). Hurricane-Related Exposure Experiences and Stressors, Other Life Events, and Social Support: Concurrent and Prospective Impact on Children’s Persistent Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(6), 794-805. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/ccp/78/6/794.pdf 

This study examines the influence of a destructive hurricane on children’s persistent posttraumatic stress (PTS).

·         North, C.S. (2010). A Tale of Two Studies of Two Disasters: Comparing Psychosocial Responses to Disaster among Oklahoma City Bombing Survivors and Hurricane Katrina Evacuees. Rehabilitation Psychology, 55(3), 241-246. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/rep-55-3-241.pdf

Research conducted in the aftermaths of the Oklahoma City bombing and Hurricane Katrina showed that the type of disaster can have a distinct effect on how people respond psychologically.

·         Roberts, Y.H., Mitchell, M.J., Witman, M., & Taffaro, C. (2010). Mental Health Symptoms in Youth Affected by Hurricane Katrina. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(1), 10–18. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/pro/41/1/10/

This study presents the results of a youth assessment survey done 2 years after Hurricane Katrina regarding the prevalence of mental health symptoms with recommendations for post-Katrina mental health needs.

·         Serious Emotional Disturbances Found Among Children After Katrina (2010, January 5). Science Daily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100105100031.htm

Discussion regarding a study done at Virginia Tech regarding the serious emotional disturbances found among children after Hurricane Katrina, including hyperactivity, eating disorders, fears, and learning difficulties.

·         Schulenberg, S.E., Dellinger, K.A., Koestler, A.J, et al. (2008). Psychologists and Hurricane Katrina: Natural Disaster Response Through Training, Public Education, and Research. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 2(2), 83-88. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/tep/2/2/83/

This scholarly article explores ways psychologists can use their clinical training in a disaster setting in light of the author’s experience in Hurricane Katrina. (See October 2008 Buzz)

·         Wang, P.S., Gruber, M.J, Powers, R.E. et al. (2007). Mental Health Service Use Among Hurricane Katrina Survivors in the Eight Months After the Disaster. Psychiatr Serv, 58(11), 1403-1411. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2078533/

A scholarly study on the use of mental health services by adult survivors of Katrina, concluding that few Katrina survivors with mental disorders received adequate care and future disaster responses will require timely provision of services.

·         Aten, J.D., Madoson, M.B, Rice, A. & Chamberlain, A.K. (2008). Postdisaster Supervisor Strategies for Promoting Supervisee Self-Care: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 2(2), 75-82. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/tep/2/2/75.pdf

Scholarly article focusing on strategies for supervisors to deal with the self-care of their supervisees written in the wake of Katrina. A supervisor self-care tool is also included. 

Call for Contributors

Call for Contributors Journal of Lesbian Studies
Deadline: November 30, 2012

The Journal of Lesbian Studies will be devoting a thematic journal issue to the topic of WHITE PRIVILEGE. There is little scholarship that focuses specifically on whiteness and white privilege in lesbian studies.

Possible topics to be considered include an examination of white privilege in:
-lesbian relationships
-lesbian communities
-intersections of white racial identities and lesbian identities
-representations of lesbians
-lesbian health
-feminist theory
-fiction -poetry

Please send a one-page abstract of your proposed contribution to adottolo (at) brandeis.edu by November 30, 2012.

Proposals will be evaluated for originality and writing style, as well as how all the contributions fit together. Potential authors will be invited to write full articles in the range of 10-15 double-spaced pages.

National Healthy Eating Day

The American Heart Association is honoring National Eating Healthy Day on Nov. 7 with these "Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget."

1. Plan your meals each week: You can check the nutrition facts and create a detailed grocery list; planning helps to avoid impulse shopping.
2. Shop for seasonal produce: Fruits and veggies are cheaper during their peak growing seasons.
3. Look for generic brands: The ingredients are usually the same as the brand names, but they're much more affordable.
4. Avoid eating out: Most restaurants come with extra large portions and price tags to match. Fast foods are typically loaded with excess fat, salt and sugar.
5. Eat before you shop: Cut out the impulse buys.
6. Frozen vegetables and fruit: Just as satisfying and healthy as fresh; check to make sure there's no added salt or sugar.
7. Limit red meat: Eat less expensive protein. Fish, like tuna, has Omega 3 fatty acids; also nuts and beans have a lot of protein, but watch your portion sizes.
8. Use newspaper coupons: You'll save over the cost of the Sunday paper.
9. Make your own pre-packaged snacks: Buy a large container of raisins, nuts or pretzels and divide up.
10. Grow a garden: The veg will be healthy and the exercise is good for you too.

For more information, call 1-800-AHA-USA1

From the Chicago Tribune.

Hurricane Resources from the DRN

Hurricane Specific Resources

Be Red Cross Ready: Hurricane Safety Checklist. Red Cross. Accessible at http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Hurricane.pdf

This file contains information on what you should do to prepare for a hurricane and how to recover afterwards.

Managing Traumatic Stress: After the Hurricanes. (2011). Psychology Help Center. American Psychological Association. Accessible at http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/hurricane-stress.aspx

This article includes tips on how to restore emotional wellbeing and a sense of control in the wake of a hurricane.

Managing Traumatic Stress: Dealing with the Hurricanes from Afar. (2011). Psychology Help Center. American Psychological Association. Accessible at http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/hurricane-afar.aspx

This article includes tips on how to manage distress from watching images of destruction and worrying about others.

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Hurricanes, Cyclones, Typhoons, and other Tropical Storms. Centers for Disease Control. Accessible at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/

This website contains the most up to date information regarding natural disasters and severe weather, preparation, key facts, and recommendations.

COPE Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter. Accessible at http://www.cope-inc.com/docs/HurricaneReadiness.pdf

This short PDF includes important ideas for what to include in a supply kit for a hurricane as well as preparation tips.

National Hurricane Center Online Tracker. National Weather Service. Accessible at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

This website allows for tracking of hurricanes and storms on the Atlantic and Pacific in real time.

Hurricane Preparedness. National Hurricane Center. National Weather Service. Accessible at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml

Part of Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 24^th – May 30^th), this consumer website offers information on hurricane history, hurricane hazards, and what people can do to prepare.

NCTSN - Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents (looks like a great resource for shelters or communities without electricity)

http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/activities_for_children_and_adolescents.pdf

  

Resources from SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline  (references APA Help Center materials along with several others)

http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/disasters/hurricanes-and-tropical-storms.aspx

Tip Sheets

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Floods. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessible at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/

Flood of Emotions Article Series. (1993) Kansas State University. Retrieved from http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hlsaf2/mf1129.pdf , http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/famlf2/mf1152.pdf , and http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hlsaf2/mf1154.pdf

Published by Kansas State University, these three fact sheets address the psychological effects of floods and are aimed at helping those affected- Including tips on how to deal with your emotions after the flood and how to handle children who might be suffering emotionally.

Coping with the Floods; Coping with the Aftermath of a Flood; Flood Aftermath- Helping Your Children. Project Recovery Iowa. Iowa DHS. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/docs/ProjectRecoveryCopingwithFloods.pdf , http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/docs/ProjectRecoveryCopingwithAftermathofaFlood.pdf , and http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/docs/ProjectRecoveryFloodAftermathHelpingYourChildren.pdf

These factsheets provide assistance in knowing how to cope and how to get help.

The MedlinePlus Hurricanes page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hurricanes.html
Variety of information and links.

GSA press release "Seniors Particularly Vulnerable in Sandy's Aftermath"

http://www.geron.org/About Us/press-room/Archived Press Releases/80-2012-press-releases/1387-seniors-particularly-vulnerable-in-sandys-aftermath

Additional Red Cross Resources

Safe & Well

During an emergency like a hurricane, letting your family know that you are safe can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. That’s why the Red Cross has developed an easy-to-use online tool, called Safe and Well, to help families and individuals notify loved ones that they are safe during an emergency

To register, people should visit the Safe & Well website and click on the “List Yourself or Search Registrants” links. People in the affected areas can list themselves as “safe and well” on the site by using a pre-disaster phone number or complete address. Disaster survivors can also update their Facebook and Twitter status through the Safe and Well Web site.

Red Cross Shelter App

The application displays real time open shelter information from the National Shelter System, updated every thirty minutes. Shelter details such as the agency managing the shelter, capacity of the shelter and current population, the associated disaster event and the specific shelter address and location are displayed.

Red Cross shelter information can be found on our national website at American Red Cross - Shelters.

American Red Cross Hurricane App

Be ready for Hurricane Sandy with the hurricane app by American Red Cross. Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an area where a hurricane may strike or has loved ones who do.

First Aid App

The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, the official American Red Cross First Aid app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.

Earthquake App

Be ready for an earthquake with Earthquake by American Red Cross. Get notified when an earthquake occurs, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an earthquake-prone area or has loved ones who do.

Wildfire App

Be ready for wildfires with the official Red Cross wildfire app. "Blaze Warnings" let you see where NOAA has issued wildfire warnings, "Blaze Alerts" notify you when a new wildfire occurs and the "Blaze Path Tracker" gives you a current view of the wildfire's track and perimeter. You can also let loved ones know that you are safe even if the power is out and learn what steps you should take to prepare your family, home and pets – all from the palm of your hand.

From your mobile phone, call **REDCROSS (**73327677) and we will send you a link to download the app or visit iTunes or Google Play app stores.

Preparedness

The American Red Cross has developed emergency-specific checklists using the latest research, science, best practices and expert opinion. These include information on how to be prepared for many types of disasters. These checklists are online in multiple languages at the following link: Disaster Preparedness Checklists.

Checklists that can assist you are:

Flood Safety Checklist

Hurricane Safety Checklist

Pet Safety Checklist

Power Outage Checklist

Equally important, businesses should be prepared with emergency plans in place to stay afloat. Putting a disaster plan in motion will improve the likelihood that your company may recovery from a disaster. Ready Business (www.ready.gov/business) outlines measures business owners and managers can take now to start getting ready.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

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,” said U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. 

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746) to residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man-made disasters. Callers and texters are connected to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the network. Helpline staff provides counseling and support, including information on common stress reactions and healthy coping, as well as referrals to local disaster-related resources for follow-up care and support.