Psychological evaluations, referrals, and follow-up of adolescents after their exposure to Hurricane Hugo

Nurse psychotherapists and nurse practitioners should work with school counselors to identify psychological stress in adolescents exposed to a natural disaster. A study of 507 high school students exposed to Hurricane Hugo found that 12% had symptoms of stress. They were identified by a nurse practitioner who referred them to a nurse psychotherapist. The Mental Health Assessment Tool used needs to be verified in future studies.