After A Crisis Or Disaster: Intervention Strategies

After A Crisis Or Disasterincrisis Intervention Strategies James Desc

After a Crisis or Disaster In Crisis Intervention Strategies, James describes two types of disasters—individual and collective. Individual disaster applies to one person, while collective disasters impact an entire community of people. The phases for responding to both individual and collective disasters follow a linear progression, as described in the Pathological Chronosystem of Crisis Event. These phases are evident, and initial responses focus on stabilizing physiological needs.

When a disaster causes significant devastation, individuals and communities may never fully return to their previous way of life. Instead, they may experience permanent changes, leading to the concept of a "new normal." The response of individuals and communities to their needs can sometimes lead to pathology, especially when communities are overwhelmed by successive crises. For example, the devastation caused by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti was compounded by prior hurricanes, preventing full recovery and exacerbating trauma.

In preparing for this discussion, review Figure 17.2, “Pathological Chronosystem of Crisis Event,” from your course text, Crisis Intervention Strategies, with particular focus on how traumatic experiences impact individuals and communities over time. Consider how the phases of recovery and trauma response necessitate different intervention strategies for individuals and entire communities during each stage.

Reflect on a natural disaster you selected in Week 8. Think about how each stage of grief and loss might influence the community's acceptance of a "new normal" after that event. Review Chapters 12 and 17 of your course text to deepen your understanding of bereavement, trauma, and the different types of loss. With these considerations, compose a post that briefly explains the disaster you chose, then discusses how the stages of loss can be applied to understanding the community’s process of accepting a "new normal" following this specific natural disaster.

Paper For Above instruction

In Week 8, I selected the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami as the natural disaster to analyze. This catastrophic event resulted in widespread destruction across northeastern Japan, causing over 15,000 deaths, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents, and triggering a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The disaster not only caused physical devastation but also inflicted deep psychological trauma on individuals and the community as a whole.

Applying the stages of loss to this disaster, I recognize that the community’s response mirrored many elements of the grief process described in academic literature. Initially, the community experienced shock and denial, as the magnitude of the destruction seemed incomprehensible and threatening to their sense of normalcy. Many residents refused to accept that their homes, livelihoods, and routines had been irrevocably altered. Healthcare providers and policymakers quickly focused on immediate needs—rescue, medical care, and infrastructure stabilization—aligning with the acute phase of crisis intervention.

As the community moved into the stage of anger, frustration and blame emerged, directed at government agencies, nuclear facilities, and even nature itself. This phase can be viewed as a natural part of the grief process, where individuals and communities grapple with feelings of helplessness and injustice. Intervention strategies during this period focused on community support groups and mental health services aimed at alleviating anxiety, providing a platform for expression, and restoring a sense of control.

The next phase, bargaining, was evident as community members proposed various solutions to rebuild their lives—ranging from relocating and rebuilding to advocating for nuclear safety reforms. This stage often involves a questioning of prior norms and an active search for meaning. Social and community programs played a crucial role here, facilitating resilience and fostering hope. The process of acceptance began as residents started to adjust their expectations, acknowledging that their lives would change but could still be meaningful within the framework of a new normal.

The "new normal" for the community entailed accepting the ongoing risks associated with the nuclear crisis, along with the physical and emotional scars left by the disaster. Acceptance did not mean forgetting the past but rather integrating the experience into a new narrative of resilience and recovery. Many residents participated in memorial activities, community rebuilding projects, and mental health programs that aimed to foster post-traumatic growth and acceptance of life after loss.

Throughout these stages, intervention strategies must be tailored to both individual and collective needs. For example, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy could help individuals process grief and trauma, while community-based interventions could foster social cohesion and collective resilience. Recognizing that trauma responses may become chronic or compounded by subsequent shocks emphasizes the importance of ongoing support and culturally sensitive interventions tailored to the community's specific needs.

References

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• Holsinger, J. W. (2004). Disasters & the Public Health Response. CRC Press.
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