David Younger is a psychologist and disaster strategist with extensive experience supporting individuals, communities, and organisations through disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Drawing on his expertise in trauma, resilience and community dynamics, David provides practical strategies to help people navigate the psychological and emotional challenges of disasters. He is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and consultant, known for his compassionate approach and ability to foster hope in the face of adversity.

What is emotional preparedness?

When discussing disaster preparedness, the focus often centres on physical readiness—securing homes, creating firebreaks, or assembling emergency kits. However, as David highlights, the less frequently addressed aspect is emotional preparedness which is also vital. Emotional preparedness involves equipping individuals, communities and people from supporting organisations to face the intense psychological and emotional demands that disasters bring.

Sometimes referred to psychological preparedness, the term emotional preparedness has been found to resonate more deeply with communities. It reflects the reality of overwhelming sensory experiences, heightened stress levels, and the need for quick decision-making during crises. David says that “experience of disaster events like a bushfire pushes people into a high stress state, whilst it’s adaptive, if we’re too stressed, we can lose decision making abilities”. However, by understanding the foundations of emotional preparedness and practicing responses, people can learn to navigate the chaos more effectively and potentially sustain the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.

Understanding the Stress Response

Emotional preparedness helps individuals by:

1. Preparing for the intensity of real-life disaster experiences.
2. Understanding and managing the associated stresses and emotions.
3. Preparing to make decisions when in an emergency state of distress.

Disasters push people into high-stress states, activating the brain’s survival mechanisms—fight, flight, or freeze. David stated that “When you are in this heightened state of functioning, plans sometimes go out the window. This could result in last minute evacuation decisions that could result in putting yourself and your family at more risk”. As David continues to explain, in this heightened state, the “reptilian brain” dominates, impairing decision-making and ‘disconnects’ from the frontal cortex. Plans can collapse as individuals revert to habitual behaviours stored in long-term memory. Emotional preparedness involves recognising these responses and learning techniques to regulate stress.

Addressing Gaps in Emotional Preparedness

A lack of emotional preparedness stems from various factors, such as;

• Denial: “It won’t happen to me”,
• Lack of awareness: Misunderstanding about the roles and limits of emergency services and
• Over-reliance on external help: Assuming emergency services and others will come and address all needs.

Shifting these mindsets requires proactive community engagement and education. Some techniques that may be helpful for emotional preparedness are;

• Rehearsing disaster scenarios to build familiarity through repetition.
• Practicing mindfulness or stress-reduction techniques to lower emotional reactivity.
• Building awareness in communities about the physiological/psychological/emotional impacts of disasters.

Rehearsal and education are critical to achieving these goals. For example, in North Queensland, cyclone preparedness programs provide handouts explaining what to expect during a cyclone, including emotional impacts. This information gives people a more realistic picture of disasters, with opportunities to be better prepared and to cope.

Supporting Children and Young People

Children and young people are often resilient but remain vulnerable to disaster-related anxiety. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in fostering emotional preparedness by:

• Creating safe, supportive environments.
• Encouraging open, age-appropriate conversations about disasters.
• Involving children in preparedness activities, which can empower them.

David Younger says that “balancing realism with hope is key. Adults should model optimism and a strengths-based approach, emphasising that while risks exist, active steps and planning can mitigate them”.

Recovery and Post-Traumatic Growth

Disaster recovery is a long-term process. Dr. Rob Gordon describes the first year as a cycle of adrenaline-fueled action, followed by post-adrenal fatigue and the realisation of the long road ahead. Social changes and psychological challenges emerge as individuals and communities grapple with rebuilding their lives. However, most individuals do not develop mental health disorders; instead, they can experience a “recreation of life that’s present and meaningful” with support as needed.

Emotional preparedness can pave the way for post-traumatic growth, where individuals integrate their experiences into a healthier, stronger sense of self. It helps paint a picture of hope: while disasters are life-altering, they can lead to positive, significant internal changes.

A Call to Action

Disaster resilience requires more than physical readiness; it demands emotional preparedness. By acknowledging and preparing for the emotional challenges of disasters, we can enable individuals and communities to face them with greater strength and clarity.

Interview and article by Kate Fawcett.