Feelings of hopelessness common after tragedies like Central Texas floods, psychologists say

AUSTIN, Texas — There’s no question that many of the images of the Hill Country and Central Texas floods on television and social media have been difficult to watch because of the suffering and the sheer enormity of the tragedy.

The images are disturbing, from the pictures of those who died in the floods, many of whom were children, to the memories of happy times along the Guadalupe River shattered by the reality that what once was, may never be the same again.

Psychologists tell us that to mourn the flood tragedies, to feel grief is a common reaction, even if we have no direct connection to the families who have suffered so much.

At Texas Children’s Hospital in Austin, Clinical Child Psychologist Dr. Lovina Bater offers her suggestions about how to handle the strong emotions we feel.

“I think monitoring yourself to see how you’re reacting to some of these images and these stories that you’re seeing, or the headlines is important. I know there is a desire when we’re feeling especially anxious to seek more information. But that can make anxiety rise and become more difficult to manage. Sometimes we need a media break from what we’re hearing and what we’re seeing,” she said.

Dr. Bater said if your child is affected by images from the floods to talk about it with them. She has advice about how to channel some of the grief we feel into positive action, like volunteering to help those affected by the floods.

“When we’re exposed to tragedy, our responses are all going to different. For some of us, they’re going to activate feelings inside our bodies that make us want to go take action. And that can be wonderful for not only ourselves, but also for the community that’s facing the tragedy. It can help unite all of us at a time when everyone needs support,” she said.

For those wanting to help those suffering from the floods, Dr. Bater said the hospital has created the Texas Children’s Central Texas Flood Hope Fund. All funds raised will go directly to support the flood victims.