You Got This: Mental and Emotional Hurricane Prep

In addition to preparing your home and family for storm season, it’s a good idea to prepare mentally and emotionally. Psychological preparedness can help you think logically during/after disasters and help keep you physically safe while weathering the emotional storm.

 Take Steps to Regulate Physical and Emotional Health

• Maintain overall wellness throughout the season with healthy eating, rest and relaxation, exercise, working with a mental health professional, hobbies you enjoy, any other tools that help you stay well. See our Daily Mental Health Hygiene Hacks.

 Focus on Preparedness

• For many, preparing in advance is a great comfort. The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to feel overwhelmed or anxious when a storm approaches. Focus on what you can control and Make a Hurricane Game Plan ahead of time.

 Limit News Consumption

• Radio and news outlets’ 24/7 storm coverage can be stressful. Keep track of what’s going on, but limit consumption until a storm is near and more frequent updates are necessary.

 Manage Stress With Calming Activities

• Stress is to be expected. Notice your body & moods – tension, short temper, inability to focus, difficulty sleeping, etc. are all signs of stress. Be mindful and practice your favorite stress-relieving activities if/ when you can:
  • Go for a walk, deep breathing, hobbies (knitting, puzzles, yoga), journaling, meditate, listen to calming music, etc.

 Seek Support if You are Struggling

• If disaster-related stress wears you down, it’s perfectly normal & OK to ask for help. Here are some helpful resources:
  • MHSD 24/7 Crisis Line (504) 826-2675 (Orleans Parish)
  • The Keep Calm Hotline, 1-866-310-7977, will connect you to trained, compassionate counselors who can offer support and who can direct you to mental health and substance abuse counseling services.
  • The Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line, 1-833-333-1132, offers 24/7/365 support for healthcare professionals and recovery support for those with substance use, mental health, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders. Qualified support providers will connect you to trained specialists and clinicians in multiple languages.
  • The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for those in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK.
  • Talk to your primary care provider about your options. If you are an NOMC patient, reach out through the Patient Portal.