A Model for Post–Environmental Disaster Wellness Workshops: Preparing Individuals and Communities for Hurricane Anniversary Reactions

Abstract

Research shows that after an environmental disaster, emotional symptoms can last, and reappear, particularly on anniversaries of the event. This essay describes the experiential aspects of a model developed to help individuals cope with such anniversary reactions, using a group intervention in the community for a heterogeneous group of survivors and community members. It includes personal reactions of the participants and community members involved with the post-recovery process as a complement to a previous publication about the methods, exercises, and empirical results of the intervention. Aspects of the model have been adapted to other cultural contexts post–environmental disaster. Further applications with appropriate cultural modifications are suggested.