San Diego Wildfires Mental Health Fund( Mental Health America Establishes Fun...),Health

Mental Health America Establishes Fund to Help Support the Long Term Mental

Health Needs of Those Affected by the San Diego County Wildfires

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the hundreds of thousands San Diegans flee the flames; they're trying to make sense of what happened and deal with the stress of the situation. These wildfires have created a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety for those directly and indirectly affected. In the days, weeks and months to come, many will need the support of a licensed mental health provider. For those who are uninsured, receiving the ongoing care needed will be difficult.

The San Diego Wildfire Mental Health Relief Fund will assist uninsured residents directly or indirectly affected by the wildfires access mental health services. MHA will provide assistance in connecting families and individuals to mental health services, based on need.

To support this fund, visit http://www.mhasd.org and click on "San Diego Wildfire Mental Health Relief Fund" or go to http://www.mentalhealthfund.kintera.org.

Coping with the Stress of Natural Disasters

In the days, weeks and months following the disaster, residents may begin to have some of these common reactions:

Common Reactions

-- Disbelief and shock

-- Fear and anxiety about the future

-- Disorientation; difficulty making decisions or concentrating

-- Apathy and emotional numbing

-- Nightmares and reoccurring thoughts about the event

-- Irritability and anger

-- Sadness and depression

-- Feeling powerless

-- Changes in eating patterns; loss of appetite or overeating

-- Crying for "no apparent reason"

-- Headaches, back pains and stomach problems

-- Difficulty sleeping or falling asleep

-- Increased use of alcohol and drugs

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