The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health would like to offer some tips on how you and your loved ones can manage emotional stress following earthquakes:
- Manage Your Stress
- Remember that physical and emotional reactions following an earthquake are normal.
- Stay informed. Refer to credible sources for updates on the situation, but limit your exposure to upsetting media reports and unverified rumors.
- Stay focused on personal strengths that help you cope positively.
- Maintain a healthy routine (getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, choosing healthier foods, etc.).
- Make time for recreation, relaxation, and enjoyable activities.
- Prepare Yourself and Your Family
- Review and maintain your family disaster plan.
- Provide opportunities for family discussion. Listen to your children’s concerns regarding earthquakes and give them honest, age-appropriate information.
- Re-establish and maintain family routines when it is safe to do so.
- Limit your children’s exposure to upsetting reports and unverified rumors on TV, internet and social media.
- Stay calm! Children look to you to interpret confusing events.
- Connect With Your Community
- Keep contact with supportive co-workers, family and friends.
- Join a comforting community, support or faith-based group.
- Accept help from family, friends, co-workers and clergy.
- Reach out to neighbors and friends with disabilities or access and functional needs that may need your assistance.
- Get More Help When Needed – If you or a loved one is having difficulty coping during this period of uncertainty, seek help from a trusted friend, family member or when needed, a mental health professional or spiritual care provider.
Additional information and resources are available in our earthquake emergency brochure, as well as the LA County’s Earthquake Preparedness webpage.
Services are available to help you and others cope with reactions or feelings about the earthquake and its impact. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, please reach out now for help:
Mental Health Help Line: Call (800) 854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741 to find immediate help or access local mental health services. This 24/7 multilingual LA County hotline also enables disaster victims to receive screening, assessment, referrals and crisis counseling over the telephone.
Para cualquier pregunta relacionada con el manejo del estrés y problemas de salud mental, comuníquese con nuestro departamento de salud mental al numero (800) 854-7771.
Additional disaster support resources:
Accessing LA County Services: Call 211 or visit www.211la.org for 24/7 help in finding disaster services, support or referrals you or your family may need during or after a disaster.
Disaster Distress Helpline: Call (800)-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. This national, multilingual hotline provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
Coping with Re-Traumaitization: Info sheets in English and Spanish
Mental Health and Stress After an Emergency: This one-page resource can help you identify common reactions and what you can do for you and your family.
Helping Kids Cope: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers resources for helping children handle a disaster and offers tools like an activity guide for children and teens who face evacuation in a disaster. You can also download the Help Kids Cope Phone App for Apple or Help Kids Cope Phone App for Android.
Recursos en Español: Explora estos recursos en español para ayudarte a comenzar una conversación sobre la salud mental con miembros de tu familia y tu comunidad.
For general earthquake information and resources, please visit the following websites