ABSTRACT
This chapter delves into two types of disasters—natural and man-made—and the effect they have on mental health for individuals, families, and communities. Their symptoms, treatment options, and patterns of behavior are explored, as well as short-term versus long-term effects. With the increase in severe storms such as hurricanes and blizzards, large numbers of damaging tornadoes, record-setting forest fires, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, and other climatic events becoming the norm, it is more important than ever that we ensure that crisis counseling is available in rural areas where there are fewer resources available for recovery. It is critical that trauma-informed practitioners be available because most of these adverse weather crises occur in rural areas.
