New Orleans Musicians Clinic
Mental Health after the Hurricanes

It Is Normal to Feel Very Bad After a Disaster

We have been in major hurricanes. Many of us have been in a major flood. You may have lost your home and everything you own. You may have lost family. You may have lost friends. You have seen and smelled and felt horror. Many of us have suffered deeply, and we have seen the suffering of others. It is very, very normal to feel hopeless, depressed, and stressed.


What Can You Do to Feel Better?

1. Talk and Listen.

Talk to your friends. Talk to your family, Listen to other people when they talk about what has happened and how they are feeling. Tell your story. Listen to their stories. Be real about what's happening. Be caring to each other. Cry. Feel sad and feel mad. You should.

2. Give It Time

You will feel better. But it takes time. It takes time. A big disaster has happened, and you -- and the people you love -- have been caught in the middle of it. It takes time.

3. Get Together

Get together with people who get it. Find people you can talk and laugh with and make music.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Eat healthy.
Sleep.
Exercise - just get out and walk.
Alcohol and drugs can make things worse -- be careful.

5. Help Other People

Be kind. Do what you can for others. It feels good to help.


Ask for Help

If you feel like you are losing it, or
If you need help with medications, or
If you need help finding an AA group or an Al-Anon group, or
If you just need some outside person to talk with.


Baton Rouge & Surrounding Parishes
24 hour Hot Line: 1-225-924-3900.

Outside of Baton Rouge & Surrounding Parishes
24 hour Hot Line: 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 )