This article integrates the guidelines of American Red Cross and the "Psychological First Aid: Field Operations Guide" (Brymer et al., 2006) with adult development theories to demonstrate the promotion of adaptive functioning in adults after a disaster. Case examples and recommendations for counselors working in disaster situations are…

This paper focuses on the stress and struggles faced by survivors, following physical and/or emotional loss. It explains how counselors must be prepared to assist when grief strikes the nation, the classroom, or the individual. Each incident carries its own uniqueness and must be dealt with in light of the victim's personal need and their belief…

This book explores how frontline trauma practitioners responded to the crisis of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Also presented is state-of-the-art information on the psychology of terrorism and an examination of the traumatic impact of terrorism on those directly affected as well as the general population, illustrating ways that…

Impact of personal and social crisis on the lives of young children is explored, and categories of potential stress in today's world are distinguished. Examination of roles and actions of helping adults in assisting children to confront such crises shows how parents, teachers, and others can affirm innate resiliency while strengthening…

This fact sheet, newly revised and updated since the attacks of September 11th, aims to share what is known about the impact of violence and disasters on children and to suggest steps to minimize long-term emotional harm. Trauma is defined to include emotional as well as physical experiences and injuries. It is noted that even secondhand exposure…

Crisis events may be viewed as expected, sudden, or catastrophic. Survivors have common needs: recognition of loss, soothing of fear, a sense of what happened, expression of feelings, assistance with adjustment, shared closure rituals, and ways to remember. Schools' crisis-response plans should include intervention and postintervention activities…

This fact sheet points out that knowledge of the process of grief (defined as one's own personal experience of loss) and ways of helping individuals and families cope with their loss experiences can be an invaluable asset to crisis nurseries and respite care programs and their service providers. The fact sheet lists the emotions of grief, and…

Crisis intervention has typically been conceptualized as seeking a return of clients to a state of equilibrium. Personal work experience with Hurricane Andrew survivors has led to an appreciation of the importance of several considerations. Develops a proactive approach, attempting to recognize and extend clients' preexisting strengths. Offers…

Suicide is a personal act with a high degree of interpersonal effects and outcomes. The student contemplating or attempting suicide has reached a turning point in his life and is searching for a way out. Suicide rates among college-age students have tripled over the past 25 years. While national attention has been drawn to the problem of teenage…

Participants from five groups completed a questionnaire that required them to assess their use of 11 coping mechanisms. Participants differed from one another, depending on group affiliation, on five strategies. The strategy judged most important was "maintaining contact with other helpers." Concludes that training programs should…

Participants (n=161) viewed a videotaped "disaster" during which they "placed" themselves on the scene as helpers. Results indicate that two groups, those who had received previous training in coping skills versus those who had not, differed significantly in the use of skills and level of psychological comfort. (Author)

Each year, dozens of natural disasters occur, leaving child victims in their wake. Short-term effects on children include such maladaptive behavioral reactions as enuresis, insomnia, crying, vomiting, and phobias. Long-term effects include compulsive behavior, personality changes, chronic anxiety, and nightmares. (JN)

Summarizes selected ERIC documents, journal articles, and World Wide Web resources that discuss ways to help children deal with traumatic events, both natural and human-caused, including the effects of terrorism. (DLH)

This is the first in a series of booklets written for developmentally disabled people who have been sexually assaulted. This initial booklet is designed for people who understand best with few words and who will read the booklet with a care-provider. Using large print, simple words, and numerous illustrations, the guide illustrates and names…

The theme of the conference session reported in this booklet was the impact of community violence on infants, toddlers, their parents, and practitioners in education. The booklet contains the edited transcript of the session, which included presentations by three speakers. Clementine Barfield described the impact of urban violence on her family…