The recent floods in Accra took me back to June 3, 2015. That day, a similar disaster caught me at Kaneshie. Fear and uncertainty took over. I even worried about a robbery attack. In the end, I had to abandon my saloon car in the middle of the road and run to safety. I escaped the flood, but the memories still linger. They can trigger thoughts that lead to lasting trauma. Many disaster survivors know this feeling well, and not only from floods. Beyond the loss of property and livelihoods, the emotional scars can run deep. Ignored and poorly managed, they last a long time. This article aims to raise awareness of the mental health toll on flood victims. It also gives stakeholders clear strategies to help survivors break the cycle of stress. This guide to mental health first aid offers practical steps anyone can use to support both direct and indirect victims.
Stress as a Normal Response
Stress is a normal human experience. It helps us respond to threats. Any situation that feels overwhelming can trigger it. In response, the brain releases chemicals that help the body fight the threat. The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that almost everyone affected by a disaster feels some distress. It is normal to feel frightened, sad, anxious, angry, or drained. Many survivors also struggle to sleep. Others lose focus, feel uneasy, worry constantly, or suffer panic attacks. These reactions usually ease with time. Practical support speeds recovery, whether through encouragement, reassurance, or basic supplies.
Prioritise Emotional Well-being Through Mental Health First Aid
Emotional recovery starts with acceptance. Survivors first need to accept that they are vulnerable to stress. Pretending all is well only slows healing. It is fine to grieve your losses. You need not feel guilty or weak for doing so. These feelings simply make us human. Support from others matters too. Reach out to friends, loved ones, religious leaders, or community members. That is a bold and healthy step. And if you know a survivor, reach out first. Offer kind words and practical supplies.
How Others Can Help: Mental Health First Aid
You do not need to be a professional to help. Friends, loved ones, and community members can all offer mental health first aid. What matters is knowing what to do. A simple protocol called “ALGEE” makes it easy. Take notes, and get ready to support the survivors around you.
A – Approach. Approach survivors calmly. Assess their physical and emotional needs. Make sure they are safe, then connect them with the right help. This often means teamwork. Depending on the needs, involve psychologists, nurses, doctors, social workers, religious leaders, or community leaders. Collect the contact details of people who can assist. Then link survivors to them, by phone or in person. Timing matters in a crisis, so act quickly.
L – Listen. Listen without judging. Blaming survivors for what they did or did not do only hurts. Healing begins with active listening and full acceptance. Create a safe, supportive space where people can share their feelings. Listen closely, and show empathy through a calm tone and kind words. Let them tell their story at their own pace. Avoid criticism and personal opinions. Respect for each person promotes healing.
Give, Encourage and Keep Supporting
G – Give practical support. People recover faster once their basic needs are met. First aiders should help arrange safe shelter, food, clean water, medication, and accurate information. This support eases worry. A calm mind can then focus on the problems at hand. WHO guidelines on disaster management rank practical support among the most effective ways to protect mental health in emergencies.
E – Encourage professional help. Once basic needs are met, encourage the person to see a qualified professional. This could be a counsellor, psychologist, doctor, or nurse. Early support helps catch mental and physical health problems in time. Prompt attention can prevent long-term harm.
E – Encourage other supports. Because healing is a continuous process, it is essential to encourage disaster victims to connect with family, friends, peer support groups, and faith communities while adopting personal coping strategies to deepen emotional healing and recovery.
Recovery Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Every citizen has a role in helping disaster survivors heal. Together, we can speed that healing and prevent serious mental health problems. Small acts of support, offered in the ways described above, add up. Survivors have a part to play too. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. A willingness to accept support builds recovery, resilience, and growth.
So I invite everyone to act. Corporate organisations, religious groups, associations, and individuals can all reach out. The survivors of the recent floods in Greater Accra need that support now. With the ALGEE approach, anyone can offer real emotional care. Above all, give priority to children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
Written by:
Dr. (Mrs.) Dora Awuah
Clinical Psychologist
Senior Research Fellow, University of Ghana
CEO, Dejoy Healthy Life Consult
Author – Breaking the Cycle of Stress (A book now selling)