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Surviving the Pandemic; Mental Health Issues

Surviving the Pandemic; Mental Health Issues. October 12, 2006 Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI Barb Biddick LPC, Mental Health Team American Red Cross-Badger Chapter. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. 5. Self-Actualization 4. Status (Esteem) 3. Love/Belonging 2. Safety

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Surviving the Pandemic; Mental Health Issues

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  1. Surviving the Pandemic;Mental Health Issues October 12, 2006 Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI Barb Biddick LPC, Mental Health Team American Red Cross-Badger Chapter

  2. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs • 5. Self-Actualization • 4. Status (Esteem) • 3. Love/Belonging • 2. Safety • 1. Physiological (biological needs)

  3. Surviving the Pandemic • A virus that has never infected humans before causes pandemic flu. • Vaccinations won’t be available until the virus is identified & a vaccine produced. This development can take several months. • Avoid crowds. • Wash hands. • Plan ahead. U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 2006

  4. CDC 8/2006

  5. Antiviral Drug • U.S. Dept. of HHS Secretary Leavitt announces GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is awarded a contract of $16,833,000 to provide zanamivir (Relenza) to all 50 states, the Dist. Of Columbia, 5 U.S. territories, & 3 Freely Associated States of the Pacific at a subsidized price. 7/20/2006 • This covers 25% of the population.

  6. Surviving the Pandemic • Virologist Robert G. Webster states: -We may have 5 years to prepare Time for scientists to develop, manufacture and stock pile new seed stocks for vaccines and antiviral medications, such as Relenza and Tamiflu. -Until then, get flu shots and pneumonia shots. -Practice good hygiene; hand washing, don’t shake hands. Fall 2006 AARP The Magazine

  7. Related Mental Health Issues • Fear of the unknown • Possible chaos (panic, anger) leading to crisis events • Those who are currently in crisis • Those who are chronically mentally ill • Stress of surviving and functioning for months before vaccine is produced • Communication needs • Scarcity of resources • Grief and loss concerns • Cumulative stress

  8. Prevent Fear & Chaos • Plan, Plan, Plan • Regularly provide accurate, up to date information with clear directives. • Develop planning relationships with local agencies such DHHS, Law Enforcement, Hospitals, Medical Clinics, Schools, Businesses, etc. • Governmental bodies determine a priority list: • Who receives treatment first? Healthcare workers, children, etc. • Vaccine, anti-viral meds, ventilators, etc.

  9. Surviving the Pandemic • Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health & Human Services warns that if the avian flu comes, we shouldn’t count on help from the federal government. • Plan, prepare: www.pandemicflu.gov

  10. Survival Stress • Reduce stress reactions by planning • Stockpile food, water, medicines, household supplies for 3 months. • Save money in case your employment is closed. • Plan to be homebound for a period of time. • Communicate with others via phone, e-mail. • Plan for displacement of family members. • Prepare wills, living wills, & health care proxies.

  11. Crisis Response • Critical Incident Stress • Dysfunctional families in crisis • Accidents (More travel in cars than air or rail) • Shootings • Sexual Assaults • Suicides • Disasters • Fires/Floods

  12. Crisis Response • Understanding cognitive, behavioral, physical, and emotional reactions. What is normal; when do I need psychological help? • The impact of info taken in through the 5 senses. • Crisis Lines, talk about it • Distribution of literature • Video cameras via internet • Self care information via media sources • Distribution of goods, food, water

  13. Grief & Loss • Funerals • Done via video feed, internet? • More cremation? • Support groups via conference calls, chat rooms

  14. Communication Needs • Avoid isolation • Will our technology systems be adequate in case of overload? • Work at home, personal communication • Security of systems • Crisis lines

  15. Scarcity of Resources • Prepare • Prioritize • Contagion on transported goods • Fear, worry, anger, frustration • Instant gratification unlikely • Underground, black market • Barter

  16. Cumulative Stress • One stressor after another or stressors running concurrently • Affects immune system • Affects coping ability • Depression • Survivor guilt • Feeling overwhelmed

  17. Any Positives? • Altruistic acts • Appreciation of life prior to pandemic • Quality time with families • Human resourcefulness • Resiliency • Art, writing; documenting history • Lessons learned

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