MHP New Directions Cautions Flooding Takes Emotional Toll
Mahaska Health Partnership
OSKALOOSA – Mahaska Health Partnership New Directions cautions that flooding takes an emotional toll on people.
“Weeks and months of concern over high water and flooding can obviously be a big strain for people,” MHP New Directions Clinical Supervisor Kimberly Pickett said. “It is normal to have feelings of grief, despair and frustration.”
Being displaced from your home or having parts of it disturbed can cause people to panic and be frustrated over the loss of control. Pickett stressed that all of these feelings are normal but it’s important to find ways to cope and to seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed.
“It is natural to go through a wide range of emotions, similar to when someone looses a home to a fire or other disaster,” Pickett said.
The Iowa Department of Public Health offers tips to assist in dealing with the stress of coping with flood response and recovery:
· Be extra patient and try to accept that restoration (both physical and emotional) takes time.
· Don’t overlook the feelings of children as you deal with the situation. They need to feel they can count on your for extra attention, love and support.
· Try to keep your family diet as nourishing as possible for energy and continue taking medicine as prescribed. Also, avoid increased use of alcohol.
· Focus on the big picture instead of little details and problems.
· Talk with your friends, family and counselors or members of the clergy because a supportive network is crucial.
· Try to get adequate sleep.
· Make a list of things that need to be done and rank them in order of priority.
· Learn acceptance. Do not worry about things you cannot control and conserve you energy for things you can.
Picket explained that counselors are available 24/7 through MHP New Directions. “If you are feeling overwhelmed with your situation and feel you can no longer cope; contact us anytime. Although the problem may seem hopeless at the moment, there is always a solution to be found.”
MHP New Directions Counselors are available by appointment Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm by calling 672-3159 and by emergency on-call 24/7 by calling 672-3100. To see how the providers of MHP New Directions are making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.
