 When there is a natural disaster, all aspects of peoples’ lives will be affected. Physical needs take priority in the period immediately after the disaster but it is also important to pay attention to emotional needs. How we feel will help to determine how well we are able to cope with the stresses.
 Indicators that you need help to cope with your emotional response to a natural disaster include: inability to return to normal routine; persistent nightmares or repetitive memories that do not begin to lessen in two weeks; feeling extremely helpless; difficulty concentrating; having thoughts of hurting one's self or others; using alcohol and drugs excessively; unexplained physical problems e.g. having back pains though you did not injure your back; thinking about or being abusive or violent; or having noticeable symptoms of a mental illness.
 If you have been affected by a natural disaster it helps to talk about your experience and your feelings together with others. The support that others offer and the concern they express help us in the healing process. Also hearing what others are doing may offer
us suggestions about how to cope with our own situation, although it is important to remember that what works for one person may not be helpful for another. Many people find that their relationship with God is also an important source of comfort.
 Peoples' responses to a natural disaster may differ widely, even when they have had the same experiences of loss or trauma. Some people respond emotionally immediately while others may have delayed reactions that can come much later. Some people go back to their normal functioning quickly while for others it may take a long time. Also peoples' responses may change over time e.g. someone who was initially very calm and organized may later become irritable and discouraged. Remember not to expect everyone else to respond as you do.