Workers and volunteers may experience stress and fatigue when they respond to environmental disasters, both natural and human-caused. As a Deepwater Horizon responder, you are at risk of feeling uncomfortable levels of stress from what mental health professionals refer to as a traumatic incident. The term traumatic is used because of an unexpected and troubling change in the natural order of things, such as the untimely death or injury of oil-covered wildlife and the impact on fishing communities and the environment. This pamphlet describes the range of ordinary reactions to stress that you may experience during your work, or in the weeks or months that follow. It is important to monitor your health and well-being during this entire period, even months after your response work has ended. Following these recommendations will help you to manage your stress and fatigue during and after a response.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection

Gulf of Mexico