Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Iowa counselors guide emotional flood recovery
By Erika Vijh
The Daily Iowan, U. Iowa
June 23, 2008

The process of returning may prove to be emotionally taxing as residents venture back to their homes and businesses to assess personal losses. So psychological services around the area are gearing up to assist people in distress to help residents cope with the damage.

"There will be lots of bumps down the road here," said Sam Cochran, the director of University Counseling Service. "People are affected at various levels. It's a variable sort of coping."

Cochran said that, beginning Monday, the service will make its 14 staff members available for student appointments between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

He also said speakers are available to meet with groups and discuss how to be resilient in the face of natural disaster.

"We are in uncharted territory," Cochran said. "Many of us will be moved by the strength of people trying to cope with this."

John Harvey, a UI professor of psychology, said two useful steps to healing are telling one's story and giving back to others also in need.

"It could be worse," Harvey wrote in an e-mail interview. "Use the event and your suffering to recognize others' losses and suffering. Reach out to them."

Because there is no timetable to predict how long psychological repercussions from flooding may last, university services are preparing for the long-haul, using a "multi-tiered, multi-phased" plan.

"We're just now walking through one phase," said Carol Wozniak-Rebhuhn, the coordinator of the Employee Assistance Program. "I'm sure it's going to be a challenge, but I think we're ready."

Faculty and staff also have resources available. Cleaning up belongings can be overwhelming and stressful, but Wozniak-Rebhuhn said her department is ready to help those who are finding clean-up to be emotionally difficult.

Though temporarily moved from the University Services Building to University Counseling Service's offices next to Student Health last week, Wozniak-Rebhuhn said the program would be back in its original location starting today.

"We have our one-on-one counseling, psychological first-aid, financial counseling, and resiliency coaching to help people through," she said. "We've had people coming in for a multitude of things right at the moment."

Although both university mental-health facilities are ready and able to see faculty, staff, and students, they also have suggestions to help victims cope without services.

"Don't get isolated," Cochran said, adding to be careful about excessive drug or alcohol use and emotional outbursts. "We don't expect this in most people, but there may be some. Check in if you notice warning signs."

Wozniak-Rebhuhn also suggested getting back into a routine and getting enough sleep.

"Take some time out," she said. "Give yourself time to heal."

E-mail DI reporter Erika Vijh at: erika-vijh@uiowa.edu

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