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United States Colleges and Universities
Help for Student Victims of Hurricanes
- Introduction
- Adjustment Issues and Psychological Correlates
1. Introduction
You are not alone in having to make an adjustment-according to the American Council on Education , it is estimated that up to 100,000 university students were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Most are likely to experience some common issues upon returning home. While going home may not be easy for you, you can familiarize yourself to what some of the issues and how they may affect your mental health. This way, you can recognize what you may be feeling, know that these feelings are normal, and know what to do or where to turn to for help, if needed.
2. Adjustment Issues and Psychological Correlates
(Adapted from original list appearing in Rediscovering the United States: A Sojourner’s Reentry. Module II, University of San Francisco International Student Services. By Christina E. Sanchez, Ph.D.)
Some of the issues you may face include changes at home and the environment due to Katrina, financial problems, working through disappointments, social isolation and sadness about family, friends, and neighbors who will not return. Some psychological correlates to these issues are feelings of depression, helplessness, anxiety, loneliness, paranoia, confusion, tension, defensiveness, and impatience, among others.
Returning home will not be easy-but it is something that you can do successfully. Please refer to the previous section on mental health issues to find information and links that may be of help to you. The section includes information on some common feelings returnees have, resources to obtain help if needed, stories about what some other students are going through, and ways to connect with others who are experiencing the same thing.
Please continue to the next section to find out how Journaling can help you work through these adjustment issues.
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