WASHINGTON — Following is a statement by Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, regarding recovery in the wake of Hurricane Florence:
“Although it has been more than a week since Hurricane Florence led to catastrophic flooding in the Carolinas and beyond, many Americans are still struggling to recover and piece their lives back together,” she said. “Bouncing back from a disaster of this magnitude can be extremely stressful and take a long time. The American Psychological Association has resources to help people who are still recovering. We recommend that people still dealing with Florence’s aftermath reach out to friends and family as a source of strength and support, and that they establish new routines to restore order in their lives. Engaging in healthy behaviors can also help.
“For friends and family who would like to help those affected or displaced by Florence, be emotionally supportive. Just listening to Florence survivors can provide them with a sense of relief and comfort. Remember, their nearby support systems have probably been affected as well.”
Here are some helpful materials available from APA:
- Managing traumatic stress: After the hurricanes
- Manage flood-related distress by building resilience
- Managing traumatic stress: Dealing with hurricanes from afar
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.