JULY 2009

MBPA DISASTER RESPONSE COMMITTEE REPORT

Submitted by Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.
Co-Chair,  Disaster Response Committee
(831) 420-1109
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We were asked to be on alert for a local fire, but the situation was contained so our committee members did not have to respond.

I continue to be on the National ARC disaster manager conference calls from Washington, DC, regarding pandemic preparedness and other such major incidents.

I gave a presentation at the last APA Leadership conference in Washington on “Leading during Challenging Times,” where we received comments about our local program.

We continue to respond to both local and national disasters and to do post-assignment check-ins for those who have returned from such responses.

Once again, I will be offering courses this Fall and Winter through the Red Cross on the following: Foundations of Disaster Mental Health, Psychological First Aid, Pandemic Flu, and International Humanitarian Law. If you are interested in taking any of these free courses and specifically in joining our combined ARC, MBPA and CAMFT disaster response team, please let me know at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (831) 420-1109.

Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.
Co-Chair

Rick Allen, Ph.D.
Co-Chair, Disaster Response Committee
(831) 429-1340
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Preparing for Swine Flu

Submitted by Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.

From the APA Help Center:

Managing Your Anxiety about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

The international prevalence and ongoing nature of H1N1 Flu (swine flu) together with speculation that it could become a more serious illness later this year can be anxiety producing. At a recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services flu summit, President Obama advised against panic and recommended "vigilance" and "preparation." You can begin to prepare now by taking the following steps to manage your anxiety and maintain a positive outlook.

Keep things in perspective. Government officials are preparing for possible worst-case scenarios in order to protect the public. The public, however, does not need to expect the worst. Studies show that annual seasonal influenza is more severe than the current H1N1 flu. Most people who have contracted the H1N1 flu in the United States have recovered. In the limited number of fatal cases, the people affected were already battling a life threatening illness prior to contracting H1N1.

Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as news from www.flu.gov, a local or state public health agency, or local elected official such as a city mayor or state governor. The situation could evolve rapidly, so gather information at regular intervals in order to help you distinguish fact from rumors. Be wary of unsubstantiated rumors, which can be upsetting and may deter you from taking appropriate action.

Maintain a hopeful outlook. Public health agencies around the globe are working to identify outbreaks of the illness and to ensure the availability of the best medical care to those who are sick. Work has been underway for several months to develop a vaccine. For centuries, people have survived difficult life circumstances and gone on to live fulfilling and productive lives. There is no reason why this situation cannot be similar. Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend watching or listening to sensationalized media coverage.

Stay healthy. A healthy lifestyle—including proper diet, exercise and rest —is your best defense against any disease threat. Adopting hygienic habits such as washing your hands regularly will also minimize your exposure to all types of germs and disease sources. A healthy body can have a positive impact on your thoughts and emotions, enabling you to make better decisions and deal with the flu’s uncertainties.

Build resilience. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, threats or significant sources of stress. Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage life’s adversities and use those skills to help you manage concerns about a flu pandemic. See APA’s Road to Resilience brochure.

Have a plan. Think about how you might respond if the flu were discovered in your area. You may want to stock up on non-perishable foods in case officials recommend staying home, consider options for working from home, and caring for sick family members, and establish an emergency family communication plan. Explore how you might spend your time if schools or businesses are closed. Planning some of these scenarios in advance can lessen your anxiety.

Communicate with your children. Discuss the flu with honest and age- appropriate information. If your children have concerns, addressing these together may ease their anxiety and distress. Parents can also help allay distress by focusing children on routines and schedules that remain unchanged despite any changes due to flu preparations. Remember that children will observe adults behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own emotions during this time. Additional information on talking with your children is available from the National Children's Hospital Center.

Keep connected. Maintaining social networks can foster a sense of normality, and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress. If officials have recommended limiting your social contact to contain an outbreak, you can stay connected via social media sites, e-mail and telephone.

Seek additional help. If you have intense feelings of anxiety or hopelessness or are having trouble performing your job or other daily activities, a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist can help you develop an appropriate strategy for moving forward. You can find psychologists near you by contacting your state psychological association or through APA’s psychologist locator.

A special thank you to: H. Katherine O'Neill, PhD; Ester Cole, PhD; and John R. Tassey, PhD for their assistance in preparing this document.
Updated July 2009
© 2009 American Psychological Association

For More on Preparing for a Swine Flu Pandemic

From the American Red Cross:

Preparing for a Swine Flu (H1N1) Pandemic:
Coping and Emotional Well-Being

What is a pandemic? Who is at risk? What will happen? Are my children safe? As the media reports that a swine flu (H1N1) pandemic is imminent, these thoughts may occur to you. Knowing what to expect, how to prepare and where to find needed information and support can increase your resilience, decrease your stress and minimize the impact on you and your loved ones during these difficult times.

What to Prepare For:

The swine flu outbreak has gained prominence since it began in April 2009. A flu pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears to which people have little or no immunity. It affects people of all ages, backgrounds and locations, causing high numbers of illness and death as wellas social disruption. During a flu pandemic:

• Many people are likely to become ill at the same time.

• People who are infected with swine flu may be isolated, which means that they are separated from healthy people to reduce the chances of spreading the flu.

• People who have been exposed to the flu virus may be quarantined. This means those who have been exposed to the flu virus are physically separated from those who have not been exposed.

• A practice called “social distancing” may be in effect to limit face-to-face interaction in order to prevent exposure and transmission of the flu virus. Many things may be shut down  or be canceled, including public transportation, gathering places, events, schools and businesses.

• Community services and utilities may be disrupted.

• Health care services could become overwhelmed. These circumstances could significantly affect you. You may need to reorganize your life to care for loved ones or to receive care. You may lose income if your workplace closes or you become ill. School closures can result in the need for home-schooling or other activities for homebound children. Access to food and other household goods may become limited. The many changes in day-to-day living can cause anxiety and stress.

To read the entire fact sheet from the Red Cross, click here.