This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is increasing accessible mental health resources for those affected by catastrophes and disasters. Read on for some facts about mental health in these circumstances.
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- The effects of disasters on mental health can be a short-term stress response or, in some cases, long-term mental disorders. These responses can also be the result of direct exposure (experiencing the event yourself) or indirect exposure (hearing about it from a loved one, seeing it in the media, etc.).
- Close to 1 in 3 individuals impacted by a disaster will experience a mental health decline.
- Aside from the stress itself from a catastrophe, factors such as grief, loss of income/property, disrupted social life, and forced relocation can exacerbate mental health symptoms.
- Some common symptoms following a severely stressful event are: difficulty sleeping, social isolation, flashbacks of the event, anxiety, feeling disconnected from oneself and irritability.
What improvements have been made to increase accessibility?
Several programs are emerging and improving to provide mental health aid in times of crisis. For example, many mental health services are offered both in-person and online to increase reach. Psychological first aid is gaining popularity as a means for community members to support one another. The Canadian Emergency Response Psychosocial Support Network (canEMERG) is a free website that provides access to a range of mental health resources that can be used to prevent or lessen the impact of disasters.
What has Allegro done to improve accessibility?
Our therapists, interns and social workers are trained in providing trauma-informed care. They offer a diverse range of techniques to work through past experiences, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. We also offer lower rates when our intern counsellors provide care, to help our services be more accessible. For more information, please click here.
