Surviving Trauma: The Unique Challenges Faced by Evacuees and Small Business Owners”.

Evacuees are facing a multitude of challenges, including fear, doubts about returning home, concerns about life in a hotel, worries about providing security for their children in the future, and more. Age plays a significant role in how individuals are coping with the situation. For instance, some older individuals are struggling to adjust to life in a hotel room after losing their anchor in the form of their home. Couples are even requesting separate rooms, indicating potential strain on relationships.

Small business owners who have been unemployed for over six months are also facing emotional distress, particularly those in industries like bakeries, restaurants, and galleries. Single parents are dealing with unique challenges, especially if their spouses are involved in emergency classes or reserves. Additionally, there is a lack of continuous educational support for youth. This has led to issues like alcohol consumption, school dropouts, and violent behavior among young people.

Despite these difficulties, efforts such as relaxation techniques, therapy referrals, and support groups are helping evacuees improve their mood. Women make up a majority of those seeking support. In particular family and couple therapy is highly demanded by many evacuees due to the strain they face while living together in small spaces at hotels or apartments.

Various organizations have established therapeutic groups and youth clubs to provide frameworks for youth to engage positively while medical issues like an increase in stress anxiety and depression along with physical complaints like headaches and joint pains have also arisen among evacuees.

Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension worsen due to the lack of consistent medical care. Children who have left their familiar routines require an increased need for parenting training.

Residents of the third age including Holocaust survivors experience repeated trauma and fears following October 7th events loneliness is a significant concern for older individuals who may feel like they are not as essential as they once were.

As evacuees prepare to return home the fear of a repeat disaster looms large highlighting the need for professionals to provide guidance and tools for families navigate complex situation while addressing all these challenges that arise from this catastrophic event