Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program

1

Why ………Are we here? President Obama declared a major disaster on October 30,

2012

The NYS Office of Mental Health applied for the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program grant now known as Project Hope

Locations involved with Project Hope are: New York City and the counties of Rockland, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau

Project Hope provides free crisis counseling services to persons, families, and groups affected by Superstorm Sandy

3

Why………Are we here?Everyone who experiences a disaster is

affected by it in some way

Stress and grief are common reactions to uncommon situations

Although, a person’s natural resilience will support individual and collective recovery over time, the initial response may be overwhelming

Why………Goal of the CCPHelp disaster survivors recover from the most

adverse reactions to the disaster and begin to rebuild their lives

Help survivors understand their personal reactions

Help survivors plan action steps and solutions

Link survivors to community resources4

Who…………Are we?Local providers identified by the county/city

to oversee the Crisis Counseling Program (CCP)

People from the affected areas are hired and trained to be the part of the CCP

The CCP team consists of Program Coordinators, Team Leaders and Crisis Counselors in each county/city

Who…….Do we assist ?

Individuals Families Community Groups Businesses Service Organizations Anyone affected by this disaster

6

What……Do we offer? Individual Crisis Counseling Brief Informational / Educational Support Group Crisis Counseling Public Education Community Networking and Support Resource Linkage Assessment Referral

7

When…..Is the CCP offered?

EmotionalHighs

EmotionalLows

Setback

Typical Phases of Disaster

8

Typical Phases of DisasterHeroic phase

Many survivors exhibit adrenaline-induced rescue behaviorThere is a sense of altruism

Honeymoon phaseDisaster assistance is readily availableCommunity bonding occursMany are optimistic that everything will quickly return to normalCCP staff can gain access to affected people, and build relationships with stakeholders

9

Typical Phases of DisasterDisillusionment phase

Stress and fatigue take a tollOptimism turns into discouragementNeed for substance abuse services may increaseThe larger community returns to business as usualIndividuals and communities become ready to

accept supportReconstruction phase

Individuals and communities begin rebuilding their lives

People begin adjusting to new circumstancesThere is a recognition of growth and opportunity

10

Where…..Will we be? We provide services anywhere, including:

homes businesses schools colleges house of worship shelters and community centers

11

Why….Does the program work?The CCP program is:AnonymousBased on the assumption of natural resilience

and competenceConducted in nontraditional settingsSupportive and educational Culturally sensitiveDesigned to strengthen existing community

support systemsOffered to help survivors understand their

reactions

What …Are common reactions?Physical

Emotional

Cognitive

Behavioral

13

14

Individual Physical Reactions Digestive problemsHeadaches, aches, and painsWeight changeSweating or chillsTremors or muscle twitchingClumsiness, increased accidentsEasily startled Chronic fatigue or sleep disturbancesImmune system disordersSexual dysfunction

Positive responses can include alertness

15

Individual Emotional ReactionsHeroic, euphoric, or invulnerable feelingDenialAnxiety or fearDepressionGuiltApathyGrief

Positive responses can include feeling challenged, involved, and pressured to act

16

Individual Cognitive Reactions(Information Processing )

Disorientation and confusionPoor concentrationDifficulty setting priorities or making

decisionsLoss of objectivityRecurring dreams, nightmares, or flashbacksPreoccupation with disaster

Positive responses can include group identification and sharpened perception

17

Individual Behavioral Reactions Change in activity levelAlcohol and drug use or abuseIncreased use of over-the-counter

medicationsDifficulty communicating or listeningIrritability, anger, or frequent argumentsDeclining job performanceFrequent cryingDifficulty sleepingAvoidance of triggering places or activities

Positive responses can include unselfish and helping behavior

18

Individual Reactions Spiritual beliefs influence how people make sense of the world:

Survivors may seek the comfort that comes from spiritual beliefs

Spiritual beliefs will assist some survivors with coping and resilience

Survivors may question their beliefs and life structures

How…Crisis Counselors can help: Work with survivors to build upon their

natural resilience to recover from this eventHelp survivors to understand their feelings

and reactions to the disasterAssist with problem solving and developing

action plansProvide linkages, information and referrals to

otherresources

19

How to contact us:

20

(Place your provider information here)

1-800-LifeNet is a Free Confidential Hotline/Referral

service, available 24 hours/7 days a week