Emotional recovery is just as important as rebuilding your home. After a disaster or other traumatic event, it is normal to experience many different emotions. You may feel worried about your own safety or the safety of a loved one. These feelings are common. Some people may need additional support, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Support each other and reach out for help when needed.

Help is Available

Residents in Santa Clara County who are experiencing emotional or mental distress can access free and confidential counseling services 24/7. Call 855-278-4204 or text “RENEW” to 741741 to speak with a counselor about:

• Different types of crises
• Emotional stress or difficult life situations
• Finding ongoing support
• Mental health concerns
• Information and connections to local resources

For more mental health resources, visit our Suicide and Crisis Prevention webpage.

Common Emotional Responses

After a disaster or other stressful event, it is normal to experience many different emotions and reactions. These may include:

• Feeling physically or mentally exhausted
• Having trouble making decisions or staying focused
• Becoming frustrated more easily
• Arguing more with family or friends
• Feeling tired, sad, numb, lonely, or worried
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns

Most of these reactions are temporary and improve over time. Be patient with yourself and take things one step at a time. Focus on taking care of your needs and the needs of your family. If you need support, reach out for help.

Recovery Takes Time

Returning to a normal routine after a disaster takes time. These tips can help you begin the recovery process:

• Take care of your safety. Find a safe place to stay and make sure you and your family have access to needed medical care and other basic needs.
• Limit exposure to disaster-related news and images. Seeing repeated images or updates about a disaster can increase stress. Take breaks from TV and social media when needed.
• Eat healthy and drink water. During stressful times, it is important to take care of your body by eating balanced meals and staying hydrated.
• Get enough rest. With so much to do after a disaster, rest may be difficult. However, sleep and breaks are important for your physical and emotional health.
• Stay connected with family and friends. Supporting each other is one of the most important parts of recovery. Spend time together and do activities you enjoy.
• Be patient with yourself and others. Everyone responds to stress differently. Give yourself and those around you time to process what happened.
• Set priorities. Focus on one task at a time and break larger tasks into smaller steps.
• Stay positive. Remember how you've overcome challenges in the past. Ask for support when needed and offer support to others.

When Challenges Continue

Many people experience stress after a difficult event and begin to feel better over time. For some, stress can last longer and may affect daily life or relationships with family and friends. If you or a loved one experience any of the following for two weeks or longer, consider reaching out for support:

• Frequent crying or anger
• Changes in eating habits
• Difficulty sleeping
• Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
• Feeling very tired or exhausted
• Feeling guilty, helpless, or hopeless
• Avoiding family and friends

Children and Disasters

After a disaster, children may no longer feel safe or know what to expect. Children experience stressful and frightening events differently than adults. A disaster can leave children feeling scared, confused, or worried. How parents and other trusted adults respond can help children feel safe and recover.

Children may not always be able to explain how they feel. Instead, their feelings may show through changes in their behavior. Some children may react right away, while others may seem fine at first and show signs of stress weeks or months later. Knowing what to look for can help parents provide support. Children may:

• Become more upset or act out
• Cry more often or become more attached to caregivers
• Need extra attention, comfort, or reassurance 

Children may also have scary memories connected to sights, sounds, or smells from the event. Remind them that they are remembering something scary that happened in the past and that they are safe now.

Here are some tips for talking with children after a traumatic event:

• Give children opportunities to talk about their feelings.
• It is okay to tell children when you do not know the answer to a question.
• Let children share their fears and concerns.
• Answer questions in a way that is appropriate for their age.