Supplemental Research Bulletin, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

This Supplemental Research Bulletin focuses on mental health and substance use (behavioral health) conditions in children and adolescents following exposure to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Each year, natural disasters affect an average of 224 million individuals worldwide, and about 85.2 million in North America. In the United States, the average number of natural disasters per year over the past decade was 21.5, making the United States one of the top five countries in the world in terms of how frequently it was hit by natural disasters (Guha-Sapir, Hoyois, Wallemacq, & Below, 2017). Researchers have found mental health problems and conditions including depression, anxiety, and general distress in disaster survivors of all ages (Norris et al., 2002).

Share This Post!

How a History of Trauma is Affecting the Children of Gaza

By Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR Researchers say the cumulative trauma of chronic ethnic-political violence has a profound and lasting impact on children's mental health and development, affecting their functioning and outlook on the [...]

Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event

Provided by the Child Mind Institute In the wake of a traumatic event, your comfort, support and reassurance can make children feel safe, help them manage their fears, guide them through their [...]

Mental Health Resources for Caregivers

Provided by Mental Health America Caregiving can often have a significant impact on the life of the caregiver in more ways than one. It can make maintaining your physical and mental health [...]

Post-Traumatic Growth

Psychology Today Post-Traumatic Growth is the positive psychological change that some individuals experience after a life crisis or traumatic event. Post-traumatic growth doesn’t deny deep distress, but rather posits that adversity can [...]

Talking to Children About War

Provided by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network The recent tragic events in Israel has impacted many directly who have experienced a personal loss or by witnessing this type of violence trigger [...]

Change A Child’s Life

Please join us today and shine a light on the invisible wounds of childhood trauma so that abused children receive the treatment they deserve.