·

U.S. DEPARTMENSubstance Abuse awww.samhsa.gov

A Post-Dep

Guide fo

Fami

 Emergency  Response 

SAMHSA ResourcesInformation ClearinghousesDisaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) (800) 308-3515 www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/dtacNational Mental Health Information

Center (NMHIC)

P.O. Box 42557, Washington, DC 20015(800) 789-2647 (English and Español)(866) 889-2647 (TDD)www.mentalhealth.samhsa.govNational Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847-2345(800) 729-6686 (English and Español)(800) 487-4889 (TDD)www.ncadi.samhsa.gov

Treatment LocatorsMental Health Services Locator

(800) 789-2647 (English and Español)(866) 889-2647 (TDD)www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databasesSubstance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator(800) 662-HELP (4357) (Toll-Free, 24-Hour English and Español Treatment

Referral Service)(800) 487-4889 (TDD)www.fi ndtreatment.samhsa.govHotlines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline(800) 273-TALK (8255)(800) 799-4889 (TDD)

Other Federal ResourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention—Mental Healthhttp://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Scienceshttp://www.usuhs.mil/psy/factsheets.html

NMH05-0220

Returning Home Disaster Relief W

Getting HelpIf you feel you need additional information, you may find this list of resources to be helpful.
Returning Home

Reunions following deployment are usually eagerly anticipated by all. However, they are sometimes more complicated than we may think. When welcoming a loved one who is returning from disaster relief work, keep the following in mind:

Homecoming is more than 

an event; it is a process of reconnection for your family and loved one.

Though coming home represents 

a return to safety, security, and return to “normal,” the routines at home are markedly different than life in a disaster zone. 

In your loved one’s absence, 

you and your family members have assumed many roles and functions that may have to now be renegotiated. Be patient during this period and recognize that many things do not return, at least immediately, to what they previously were like.

Go slowly. Your returning loved 

one, you, and your family need time—time together if possible—before exposure to the demands of the larger community, friends, extended family, and coworkers.

••••

Adjusting to Life at HomeIn the disaster environment, it is common to talk about things that may be upsetting to people not directly involved (e.g., dead bodies, graphic images). Extreme care should be taken by returning family members (monitored by loved ones) to ensure that relating experiences does not unnecessarily upset or traumatize others. This is especially important in discussing the experience with, or in the presence of, children. 

Celebrating a homecoming is 

important and should refl ect your 

own family’s style, preferences, and traditions.

Talking about disaster experiences 

is a personal and delicate subject. Many people prefer to share such experiences with a coworker or friend. Some may want to talk at length about their experience. Sometimes the need/desire to talk about experiences will vacillate a great deal. Let your returning loved one take the lead. Listening rather than asking questions is the guiding rule.

••

Keeping your social calendar fairly 

free and fl exible for the fi rst weeks after the homecoming is wise. Respect the need for time alone and time with especially important people such as spouses. Explain to those who may feel slighted that this is a normal requirement of returning personnel.

Your loved one may need time 

to adjust to the local time zone, as well as environmental changes such as continuous noise or interruption. 

Your children’s reactions may 

not be what you or the returning loved one may have expected or desired. Very often children will act shy at fi rst. Older children may feel and act angry because of their parent’s absence. Be patient and understanding concerning reactions and give them time to get reacquainted.

Be fl exible with reasonable 

expectations. It is normal to experience some disappointment or let down when homecomings are not what you had hoped. The reality of homecoming and reunion seldom match one’s fantasies and preconceived scenarios.

••••

First Things First...Before most recovery workers are reato return to normal work and family duties, it is important to meet some basic needs that are often neglected during disaster deployment. These include the following:

Maintaining a healthy diet, routi

exercise, and adequate rest/sleep 

Spending time with family 

and friends

Paying attention to health concerMeeting neglected daily personal 

tasks (e.g., pay bills, mow lawn, shop for groceries)

Refl ecting upon what the 

experience has meant personally and professionally

Getting involved in personal and 

family preparedness.

Signs of StressFollowing is a list that you may fi nd helpful in identifying signs of stress in your family or returning loved onincluding:

Anxiety, fearGrief, guilt, self-doubt, sadnessIrritability, anger, resentment, 

increased confl icts with friends/family

Increased use of alcohol or 

other drugs

Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, 

despair, depressed

Anticipation of harm to self 

or others; isolation or social withdrawal

InsomniaGait changeHyper-vigilance; startle reactionsCrying easilyGallows/morbid humorRitualistic behaviorMemory loss, anomia (i.e., 

diffi culty naming objects or peop

Calculation diffi culties; 

decisionmaking diffi culties

••••••••••••••••••••

Increasing attention is being paid to the challenges that recovery workers face as they perform their work and then return to their families and pre-deployment duties. As a family member of an emergency or disaster response worker, you have faced your own challenges in keeping your family functioning while a loved one is away. This brochure contains useful information to help you reunite with a deployed family member.