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Coping With Oil Spill Distress

Resources for educators, health providers, and the community.

Oil Spill Distress Resources

You or someone you know may be feeling the effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill – far beyond its obvious physical and financial impact. The signs of  stress may be hidden or unfamiliar to you. What can you do to help yourself or someone else cope?

Whether you are a community member, educator, or health worker, you’ll find answers here, including:

To begin, simply click on one of the categories listed below. Resources for family members and individuals are included in the Community section of our site. If you need immediate assistance, please call the Oil Spill Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Someone is waiting to talk with you.

Warning Signs

Children, teenagers, and adults can react to disasters like the oil spill in very different ways. When they can’t talk about their feelings, they may show stress through changes in their behavior. These resources let you know what to look for and what you can say to help.

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Coping Resources

When children, teens, and adults are dealing with the stress from the Gulf oil spill, talking may not be enough. These resources provide ideas about what to do you can do at home to help children, family members, and yourself cope. 

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