Natural disasters like Kentucky’s recent flooding can also impact victims’ mental health.
Christal Badour is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky and a trauma recovery researcher. She says reactions to traumatic events can be placed into short-term and long-term symptoms.
Those short-term symptoms include feeling overwhelmed, anxiety and difficulty communicating. Most people eventually recover.
But for some, disasters can lead to depression or post-traumatic stress disorder over the long-term.
Badour says certain types of people are more at risk.
“Folks who are at risk of longer term mental health consequences tend to be folks who have already experienced mental health difficulties prior to a disaster, and then also those who are more isolated, who don't have that support and recovery community, people who have fewer financial resources,” she said.
A report from Clinical Psychology Review found around 20 to 30 percent of people will experience those long-term symptoms, with rates of mental health difficulties varying depending on the disaster.
Symptoms of PTSD are also more likely to improve after the first year, while depression and anxiety are more likely to persist.
Badour says there’s a treatment gap when it comes to those long-term symptoms, with most disaster relief resources only around for up to one year.
“After that year has passed, a lot of people feel like there's no one there to help them, and especially if you're in a community that was already lacking in mental health support and resources,” Badour said.
She says the sense of community after a disaster can be something harnessed to positively impact those affected.
Flood victims having negative thoughts can reach out for counseling by calling the federal disaster distress helpline at 800-985-5990.
