| CATASTROPHIC LOSSES -MOTHER NATURE | | | | you may be able to comfort each other. But for |
| The people who lost their homes in the recent | | | | your individual loss, you will feel your own personal |
| California fires are suffering from multiple | | | | pain, and will need to grieve and heal yourself in |
| catastrophic losses. These losses are sudden, | | | | your own way. |
| senseless, unexpected and unjust. The survivors | | | | The Trauma of Victimization |
| are left with a special set of problems, and the | | | | Initially people are grateful to survive, to be alive |
| mourning period is prolonged, pending legal | | | | and quickly conclude that what they have lost are |
| mandates, insurance or FEMA assistance. | | | | just “things.” When it is an act of nature |
| Frequently the anger stage is extended until | | | | there is no one to blame. But it is different if it is |
| financial and legal issues have been resolved. | | | | proven that an arsonist set the fire. Then grief will |
| Mother Nature | | | | be focused on the perpetrator of the crime. |
| The awesome power of nature can be | | | | Relatives of victims suffer too. The shock leaves |
| overwhelming. Human beings are at the mercy of | | | | everyone in a state of psychological disruption and |
| the natural elements and activity on our planet: | | | | disorganization, unable to think clearly or to make |
| wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, | | | | decisions. They will feel overwhelmed and |
| tsunamis, floods, avalanches and volcanic eruptions | | | | devastated by the shock their loss and the |
| claim many lives every year. Sometimes entire | | | | emotional pain caused will last for a long time. As |
| communities have been wiped out due to a | | | | they pick through the ashes they will remember |
| natural disaster. The tsunamis in Southeast Asia in | | | | what they can’t replace, photos, collections, |
| December of 2004 killed 230,000 people in a | | | | collectibles, art work, keepsakes and other things |
| dozen countries. Many more died later of hunger, | | | | that they were attached to. Difficult decisions will |
| and the recovery effort to rebuild the | | | | need to be made—about rebuilding or moving. |
| survivors’ lives and communities continues. | | | | Financial devastation will be an issue for many |
| Many people affected by this natural disaster are | | | | who had no insurance or were underinsured. |
| still without critical infrastructure like roads, power, | | | | They can't understand why this happened to |
| drainage, and vegetation. | | | | them. It is senseless. Their lives may be shattered |
| Hurricane Katrina, a category five hurricane, hit | | | | in a variety of ways. There may be other losses |
| New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in August 2005 | | | | like a pet that couldn’t be rescued, or perhaps |
| with a vengeance, leaving nearly two thousand | | | | a physical injury is involved. People often suffer |
| dead, thousands more homeless, and an | | | | post-traumatic stress after such losses and |
| estimated $84 billion dollars in damage. | | | | seeking counseling is a good thing to do. Victims |
| The whole country rallied by donating blood and | | | | will grieve for multiple losses. |
| sending money, clothes, and food to help the | | | | If a criminal act is involved then anger will be |
| relief efforts, but those who lost loved ones have | | | | focused on the legal system. Victim rights groups |
| no one to blame and must grieve for those who | | | | believe that education of the public about how the |
| died. Survivors experienced multiple losses: their | | | | criminal justice system works is critical. This can |
| homes, clothes, and personal possessions, many | | | | be a long frustrating process with no |
| of which are irreplaceable – family photos and | | | | compensation at the end of the road, if the |
| paperwork, for example. | | | | person is indigent. A perpetrator who is arrested |
| Fortunately, with modern technology we | | | | may get out on bail, have his trial delayed for |
| sometimes have enough forewarning to | | | | over a year, and may go through several years |
| evacuate, as the dreaded event gets close. But | | | | of costly appeals before his final punishment is |
| this is only true of some disasters, and only | | | | carried out. |
| possible in developed countries. | | | | Healing grief is related how many losses suffered |
| These events may also cause sudden, | | | | and how you are able to put your life back |
| unexpected deaths of people and pets, and the | | | | together. There is no right or wrong way to |
| grieving process must be done after the fact and | | | | grieve, it is a process of emotional healing and |
| after the loss. There will be many others who | | | | unique to every individual. Such a big loss will put |
| have gone through the experience with you, so | | | | stress on your relationships. Be patient and gentle |
| you will have a common experience of loss and | | | | with yourself and with family members. |