Crisis Counseling Outreach

Introducing Ticket to Hope:  A Program providing free counseling sessions to individuals and families who need assistance in coping with the aftereffects of the 2008 disasters.  Please click here for more information: http://www.tickettohope.org/

Project Recovery Iowa:  To go directly to the Project Recovery web site, click here or go to http://www.projectrecoveryiowa.org

Dealing with the Stress of Surviving a Disaster - You are Not Alone

Thousands of Iowans have received crisis mental health counseling in the wake of severe storms and flooding this past summer.

But we know that thousands more will need help. That's because the response to a disaster goes through many phases. The euphoria of actually surviving the disaster has long passed, and many Iowans are now entering the frustration and anger stage as they struggle to put their lives back together. In many cases, it takes weeks or even months for signs of stress to surface.

Iowans don't need to battle these symptoms alone. Our residents have a well-deserved reputation for self reliance, but in the wake of a disaster we hope Iowans will be a little less self-reliant and will seek help. 

How Project Recovery Iowa Can Help

The Mental Health and Disabilities Services (MHDS) division of the Iowa Department of Human Services has implemented a disaster response plan and secured federal grants to sharply expand service in the hardest hit counties. It's called Project Recovery Iowa. 

The overarching goal is to help people regain a sense of control in their lives, and to remind them that what is happening is normal in an abnormal disaster situation. Crisis counseling helps people understand their reactions, review their options, and link them with individuals or agencies that may be of assistance to them.

Again, the front door to help is the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985. The line is staffed for extended hours during the business week. After hours, you may leave a message someone will return the call soon. 

News Releases

August 4, 2008.  Don't Handle Stress Alone. pdf
August 6, 2008.  Coping ith Post-Disaster Stress. pdf
May 27, 2009.  Mental Health Website Focuses on Year-Later Needs for Disaster Survivors. pdf
July 13, 2009.  Ticket to Hope Provides Free Counseling to those affected by 2008 Natural Disasters. pdf

Additional Resources

Map of the Project Recovery Iowa Counties.  pdf
Allen Parks urges Iowans to be a "little less self reliant" in Des Moines Register op-ed  pdf  
Flood Relief for Iowans With Disabilities Application for Financial Grant Assistance pdf

How to Cope With a Disaster

These documents provide information for families and individuals dealing with a disaster event.

Personal Recovery From Natural Disasters
Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for recovering from a natural Disaster	It is common for people who have experienced traumatic situations to have very strong emotional reactions.  Understanding normal responses to these abnormal events can aid you in coping effectively with your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and help you along the path to recovery. This article will help you recognize the signs of stress, how to relieve stress and know when to get help.	pdf [12KB]
Self Care Tips: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work and Financial Life	A disaster or traumatic event can have far-reaching effects in several major areas of our lives; making rebuilding our emotional lives extremely difficult. This file provides information on what to expect that can help ease the transition back to a normal life.	pdf [84KB]
Dealing with Effects of Trauma: A Self-Help Guide	This is a comprehensive 8-page Self-Help Guide. It may give you guidance to relieve some disaster-related symptoms and share some simple and safe things you can do to help yourself heal from the effects of trauma.	pdf [162KB]
Phases of Disaster Recovery	The different phases of disaster recovery are distinct with some phases emerging long after the actual disaster.  This one-pager helps to explain these common phases.	pdf [80KB]
Coping with Floods	Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. This article gives tips on how to prepare for a flood and advice on what to do if your home is damaged.	pdf [106KB]
Coping with the Aftermath of a Flood	This one-pager provides tips for dealing with the range of emotions you may experience as a flood survivor.	pdf [59KB]
Help for Children and Teens
Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Children	The anxiety and fear followed by a disaster can be especially troubling for surviving children. This article has tips for parents to help alleviate emotional effects of trauma and how to know when it is time to get professional help.	pdf [7KB]
Flood Aftermath:  Helping Your Children	Floods bring special stress to children. These suggestions are for helping children through this stress.	pdf [57KB]
Tips for Talking to Children	Disasters or traumatic events affect children as much as adults. This article talks about how to help your child understand and cope with the experience.	pdf [76KB]
Helping Children Cope	How parents or other adults react to a child following any traumatic event can help children recover more quickly and more completely. This one-pager contains six primary action items to help you in this task.	pdf [83KB]
Impact of Disasters on Children	This 2-page article discusses the significant emotional and physical changes that children experience as a result of a disaster.	pdf [91KB]
How Children React to a Disaster Based on Their Age Group	This article provides information on how children of different age groups react to disaster and helpful tips on how to help them cope.	pdf [91KB]
After a Disaster - What Teens Can Do	This one-page document provides tips on how teens can deal with their feelings post disaster.	pdf [78KB]
Help for Older Adults
Helping Older Adults Cope	This document talks about understanding some of the common reactions in older adults, and ways we can better offer support and assistance where appropriate to help them recover from a catastrophic event.	pdf [67KB]
Home Repairs
Repairing Your Flooded Home	This 56-page book gives detailed, step-by-step advice you can use to clean up, rebuild, and get help after a flood..	pdf [738KB]
Flood Cleanup Safety and Salvaging	This brochure provides some tips on residential cleanupand gives an overview of those materials that can be salvaged and those that cannot and how to make some decisions.	pdf [511KB]
Help for Emergency Responders
Managing Stress - Tips for Responders	This guide for emergency and disaster response workers provides information on ways to help manage their stress.	pdf [76KB]
A Guide to Managing Stress in Crisis Response Professions	Crisis response workers and managers are repeatedly exposed to extraordinarily stressful events. This places them at higher-than-normal risk for developing stress reactions. This 40-page guide to managing stress provides some basic tools that can inspire and spread optimism and point the way to effective stress management.	pdf [1.3MB]