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36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
When disasters fall out of the public eye, survivors continue to suffer – a rehabilitation professional explains how sustained mental health support is critical to recovery
The devastating losses from the historic flooding in Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, are still coming into grim focus, with 121 deaths confirmed and more than 100 still missing as of July 10. As emergency responders focus on clearing debris and searching for victims, a less visible and slower disaster has been unfolding: the need for ongoing mental health support long after headlines fade. This phase is no less critical than restoring power or rebuilding bridges. Disasters destabilize emotional well-being, leaving distress, prolonged recovery and long-term impacts in their wake long after the event is over. Without sustained emotional support, people and communities face heightened risks of prolonged trauma and stalled recovery. As an educator and practitioner focused on disability and rehabilitation, I explore the intersection of disaster recovery and the impact of disasters on mental health. Both my research and that of others underscore the vital importance of support systems that not only help people cope in the immediate aftermath of a disaster but also facilitate long-term healing over the months and years that follow – especially for vulnerable populations like children, older adults and people with disabilities. Natural disasters disrupt routines, displace families and challenge people's sense of control and security. In the immediate aftermath, survivors often experience shock, grief, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Often these symptoms may evolve into chronic stress, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or a combination of these conditions. A 2022 study found that Texans who experienced two or more disasters within a five-year span had significantly poorer mental health, as reflected by lower scores on standardized psychological assessments, which highlights the cumulative toll repeated disasters can have on mental well-being. After Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans in 2005, nearly a third of survivors continued to experience poor mental health years later. And reports following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017 revealed surging rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in areas where services remained unavailable for extended periods of time. Disaster response understandably focuses on immediate needs like rescue operations, providing post-disaster housing and repairing damaged infrastructure. In addition, short-term mental health supports such as mobile health clinics are often provided in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. However, although emergency services are deployed quickly after a disaster, long-term mental health support is often delayed or under-resourced, leaving many people without continued care during the recovery period, especially in remote or rural communities, exposing deep structural gaps in how recovery systems are designed. One year after Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of Texas in 2017, more than 90% of Gulf Coast residents reported ongoing stress related to housing instability, financial hardship or displacement. Yet less than 10% of people stated that they or someone in their household had used mental health services following the disaster. Hurricane Helene in 2024 similarly tested the resilience of rural mental health networks in western North Carolina. The storm damaged roads and bridges, schools and even local clinics. This prompted a news organization, North Carolina Health News, to warn of rising 'trauma, stress and isolation' among residents as providers scrambled to offer free counseling despite legal barriers stemming from licensing requirements to provide counseling across state borders. State health officials activated community crisis centers and helplines, while mobile mental health teams were dispatched from Tennessee to help those impacted by the disaster. However, state representatives stressed that without long-term investment, these critical supports risk being one-off responses. These events serve as a powerful reminder that while roads and buildings can often be restored quickly, emotional recovery is a slower, more complex process. Truly rebuilding requires treating mental health with the same urgency as physical infrastructure. This requires investing in strong mental health recovery systems, supporting local clinics, sustaining provider networks and integrating emotional care into recovery plans from the start. Lessons learned from previous disasters and an abundance of research show how sustained mental health supports can help people recover and build resilience. These six lessons are particularly helpful for finding needed mental health support following a disaster: If you're feeling overwhelmed after a disaster, you're not alone, and help is available. Free and confidential support is offered through resources like the Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746), which connects you to trained counselors 24/7. Many communities offer local mental health crisis lines or walk-in centers that remain active well after the disaster passes. Check your county or state health department's website for updated listings and information. Even if physical offices are closed, many clinics now offer virtual counseling or can connect you with therapists and medication refills remotely. If you've seen someone before, ask if they're still available by phone or video. After major disasters, states often deploy mobile health clinics that include mental health services to shelters, churches or schools. These temporary services are free and open to the public. If someone you care about is struggling, help them connect with resources in the community. Share hotline numbers, offer to help make an appointment or just let them know it's OK to ask for support. Many people don't realize that help is available, or they think it's only for more 'serious' problems. It's not. Mental health support doesn't always arrive right away. Keep an eye on local news, school updates or health department alerts for new services that may become available in the weeks or months after a disaster. Disasters don't just damage buildings; they disrupt lives in lasting ways. While emotional recovery takes time, support is available. Staying informed and sharing resources with others can help ensure that the road to recovery isn't traveled alone. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, University of North Dakota Read more: A TikTok 'expert' says you have post-traumatic stress disorder − but do you? A trauma psychiatrist explains what PTSD really is and how to seek help People displaced by hurricanes face anxiety and a long road to recovery, US census surveys show − smarter, targeted policies could help Disasters like Hurricane Ian can affect academic performance for years to come Lee Ann Rawlins Williams does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Woman's condition unknown after bear attack in western Wisconsin
Woman's condition unknown after bear attack in western Wisconsin originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A 69-year-old woman was able to call 911 after being attacked by a black bear in western Wisconsin on Saturday. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the woman was attacked by the bear near the town of Comstock — a small community located along Hwy. 63 between Turtle Lake and Cumberland in Barron County. The woman's current condition is unknown, though the DNR says she was able to call 911 and was later taken to a local hospital. The DNR says local wardens and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, along with the Barron County Sheriff's Office and Cumberland Police Department, responded to the scene and found a cub in a tree while searching for the bear that attacked the woman. "DNR wardens and USDA Wildlife Services staff attempted to track the bear with the aid of a trained bear hound dog, but the search was unsuccessful," the DNR said. "Efforts to capture the bear are ongoing. Several bear traps have been set at the scene. The goal is to euthanize the bear and assess its condition." What prompted the attack is unknown. There are an estimated 28,000 black bears in Wisconsin, and they are considered common to abundant in Barron County. According to the DNR, black kbears are usually shy around humans. In the event that you come into contact with a black bear, the DNR says it's a good idea to find a secure area and make a lot of noise by yelling, honking or banging pots and pans to scare the bear away. Humans should never approach a bear "Bears are generally afraid of people, and aggressive behavior is rare," the DNR says. "However, a bear will be defensive when protecting its young or a food source. Bears can also become agitated if they are startled." Steps to take if encountering an aggressive bear: Talk to the bear or start shouting if it doesn't leave. Raise arms above your head and wave them to appear larger than you are. DO NOT RUN. Slowly back away and don't turn your back on the bear. Always leave an escape route for the bear. DO NOT LIE DOWN OR PLAY DEAD. Fight back if attacked. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dog left in hot SUV sparks outrage in Memphis parking lot
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police were called to the parking lot of Bass Pro Shops in Downtown Memphis after a good Samaritan noticed a dog in the back of an SUV on Friday. Brett Hubbard didn't know how long the dog had been in the vehicle, but said the car was not running and the windows were barely cracked. He immediately called 911. 'I don't know why you would leave any living being in a car this time of year with no air-conditioning at all. It's just crazy to me,' said Hubbard. Hubbard said police arrived right away, and a tow truck driver who happened to be driving through the lot popped the lock of the Subaru. An officer was seen removing the small dog from the back of the SUV and giving the pup some cold water. At the time, the temperature was over 90 degrees. 'Bass Pro, they allow dogs in there. They could've taken it in on a leash or carried it or whatever,' Hubbard said. 'If you're not gonna be responsible, then don't have kids, don't have pets.' Hubbard said officers also went inside Bass Pro and paged the owner of the Subaru several times. A woman and a teenager could be heard telling a WREG photographer they had not been in the store very long. Hubbard responded by saying it had been 30 minutes since he placed the 911 call. 'It just blows my mind that someone thinks it's ok. I'm standing in the parking lot, covered in sweat, so I'm hot; all the police officers are hot. There's no telling how hot it was inside that vehicle,' Hubbard said. In Tennessee, it is illegal to leave a dog unattended in a vehicle if the conditions inside could endanger the animal's health or safety. This includes situations where the temperature inside the car could lead to heatstroke, even with the windows cracked. State law also allows individuals to break into vehicles to rescue animals in imminent danger, but only under specific conditions, like calling 911 first and remaining with the animal until help arrives. It does not appear the owner of the dog was cited, and she was allowed to take the pup. 'I don't care if you leave your window cracked or whatever, either leave it running or take the dog inside, or don't take the dog with you whatsoever. And children, that's a whole different level of things,' said Hubbard. In 90-degree weather, a parked car can heat up very quickly. After just 10 minutes, the interior temperature can rise to 109 degrees. The CDC says never leave your pet in a parked car, as they can suffer from heat-related illnesses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
