Disease Outbreaks and Pandemics: How You Can Prepare

In the United States, influenza (flu) season is in fall and winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal flu, as well as infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics, may bring feelings of fear, stress, and anxiety. Being prepared for a pandemic or outbreak will allow you to focus on recovery and stress management if such an event occurs.

Disease Outbreaks and Pandemics: How You Can Prepare

Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

This SAMHSA resource provides tips on how to manage and relieve stress during infectious disease outbreaks by engaging in self-care and other activities to foster resilience. It lists signs of stress, as well as practical ways to lower your stress, from healthy habits to relaxation techniques to sharing concerns with others. This resource is also available in Spanish.

Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

This SAMHSA tip sheet provides guidance on reactions children may have to an infectious disease outbreak. It teaches parents and other caregivers and teachers how to respond to children and teenagers of various ages and when it is time to seek professional mental health support. This resource is also available in Spanish.

Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak

This SAMHSA resource lists reactions to social distancing, quarantine, and isolation, measures that may be required during an infectious disease outbreak. The tip sheet identifies ways to support yourself during these measures, including educating yourself, staying up to date on the outbreak, and connecting with others. A Spanish version of this resource is also available.

Be Red Cross Ready: Flu Checklist

This Red Cross resource explains the differences between a pandemic, an epidemic, and various forms of flu. It covers the steps you can take to avoid becoming ill, signs you have caught the flu, and how you can aid someone who is sick.

Pandemic

This page from Ready.gov lists what you can do before a pandemic, including maintaining a supply of your prescription medication and organizing copies of health records. Additionally, it offers tips to help limit the spread of germs and infections during a pandemic. Helpful resources are also listed.

Upcoming Webinar for Tribal Communities

Tribal communities across the United States have been affected by disasters ranging from severe storms, mudslides, flooding, and hurricanes to wildfires and severe freezes. SAMHSA is developing a webinar for American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities about the possible behavioral health impacts of disasters and plans to address them. Watch for more information about this webinar, which will cover disaster behavioral health, why it’s important, and resources for tribes.

Subscribe to The Dialogue

The Dialogue is a quarterly e-newsletter that provides practical and down-to-earth information for disaster behavioral health coordinators, local service providers, federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. You can subscribe to the newsletter or contact the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) by email at dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov to contribute an article to an upcoming issue.

Questions About the SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin?

The SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin is a monthly newsletter used to share updates in the field, post upcoming activities, and highlight new resources. For more information, please contact:

Captain Erik Hierholzer
240-276-0408
erik.hierholzer@samhsa.hhs.gov

Nikki D. Bellamy, Ph.D.
240-276-2418
nikki.bellamy@samhsa.hhs.gov

The views, opinions, and content expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).