Hurricane Katrina was the deadliest. It is was a natural
disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes
in the history of the United States.. Many lost their homes, lost family members and
friends, and are facing the fact that the infrastructure that supported their
daily lives is gone. Many of their basic physical needs are not being met, so
they are at risk of dehydration, starvation or malnutrition, heat-related
illnesses, and diseases and injuries related to lack of sanitation and safe
housing. The experiences result in serious emotional needs that may not be met.
The first priority for these children is clearly to meet their basic needs. As
much as possible, these children should be protected from the physical and
psychological dangers around them, but parents will need help in accomplishing
that goal. One study showed the estimated prevalence of serious emotional disturbances
among residents of the affected areas was 14.9 percent. Of those, 9.3 percent
of youths were believed to have SED that was directly attributable to Hurricane
Katrina. Characteristics of SED include inappropriate behavior, depression,
hyperactivity, eating disorders, fears and phobias, and learning difficulties.
Stress exposure is associated strongly with serious emotional disturbances
related to the hurricane. The study found that youth who experienced death of loved
one during the storm had. Exposure to physical adversity was the next strongest.
The study also showed that Male and female teens who experienced the hurricane
showed distinct patterns of behavioral stress as well as gender differences in
how they regulated physiological stress, the study found. Specifically,
compared to the children who weren't exposed to Katrina, girls who survived the
hurricane were more depressed and boys showed lower levels of aggression and
higher levels of confidence. Heightened stress hormonal reactions were likewise
associated with depression in girls and confidence in boys. The prevalence of
serious emotional disturbances among youths exposed to Hurricane Katrina
remains high 18 to 27 months after the storm. With these numbers it is
suggested that a substantial need for mental health treatment resources in the
hurricane-affected areas are needed. Katrina was the costliest hurricane in
United States history as well as one of the five deadliest. Four years
after the storm, nearly thousands of residents of Mississippi and Louisiana are
still displaced from their home.
References
abcnews.go.com/US/Katrina
abcnews.go.com/US/Katrina
www.history.com/topics/hurricane-
www.redorbit.com/.../study_
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI have found the information you posted interesting. There is not much in the national news media on the conditions for people in the deep south. I did not realize their are so many people still displaced from their homes and suffering. It is too bad our government makes the recovery process so annoying and full of red tape.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI too found your information fascinating. My husband and I took teens down to Florida after Hurricane Andrew and I was surprised then nearly 5 years after that many were still displaced. In many of those cases, contractors poured into the area with promises to help. They requested lump sums up front to go and purchase the necessary supplies and then they never came back. I am sickened that there are predators out there ready to prey on other people's misfortune and pain. Are you aware of anything like this happening with Katrina? This would have happened outside of the system. I am thankful for Project Teamwork, as a non-profit volunteer organization for meeting the needs of people like these at no charge. I know there is bound to be a lot of good also happening behind the scenes down that way.