Disaster Response

629 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Sample mental health vignettes responding to disaster situation

My peers were considering the notion of being flooded and the potential advantage/disadvantage of that to a disaster mental health worker. Perhaps some mental health workers are meant to be first responders and others to be the responders for the first responders back in their communities upon their return, with their being immense value in both.
On reflection and analysis of all of this, I still unequivocally know that being a first responder what I am drawn to and meant to do. My collective life experiences allow me to switch into a therapeutic mode in which I am be able to sit with extremes of devastation and to deeply empathise with the individuals whilst bracketing. The SAMHSA (2005) guide for disaster responders in managing stress and the presentation by Meggert (2013) were, however, very useful in bringing areas to be mindful of into my consciousness. Reflection upon those has led me to realize the usefulness for me in utilizing mindfulness techniques such that I could employ a visualization of a therapy room that I would be entering and exiting in a disaster setting to establish the same inner boundaries for myself – of containing and leaving things in a room, as well as having a ‘room’ for my own processing of my in the moment experiences. Self-care seems paramount, and I wonder about the possibility of disaster relief sites having an art or music therapy room for first responders to go to as needed to process what they have seen and experienced, much of which may be at a pre-verbal level. This could also serve to implicitly reinforce their own practice with survivors in terms of non-verbal techniques of processing experience. It seems that there could be systems in place for returning disaster mental health wor...

... middle of paper ...

...London: Sage Publications.
Meggert, S. (2013). Not if but when the professional responds to disaster. [Class
Handout]. School of Applied Psychology, Counseling & Family Therapy, Antioch
University, Seattle, WA.
Meyers, D. (1994). Key concepts of disaster mental health. In Disaster response and recovery: A handbook for mental health professionals. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from http://www.empowermentzone.com/disaster.txt
Schor, L. I. (2002). What help have I to give? A therapist's journey to ground zero.
Voices: The Art and Science of Psychotherapy, 38(3).
Styron, W. (1990). Darkness Visible: A memoir of madness. New
York, NY: Random House.
SAMHSA, US Department of Health and Human Services. (2005). Tips for managing and preventing stress: A guide for emergency and disaster response workers.
Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.

Show More
Related

  • Samantha

    2458 Words  | 5 Pages

    Corey, C. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.

    Read More

  • The Impacts of Hurrican Katrina

    2036 Words  | 5 Pages

    Natural disaster can be traumatic events that have a huge impact on the mental health of communities often resulting in an increase in mental health needs that don’t get met. In 2005, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. History, Hurricane Katrina, hit the states of Louisiana and Mississippi affecting 90,000 square miles. In addition to the 2000 people killed and million displaced as a result of the Hurricane, a significant number of people, according to multiple studies, suffered and continue to suffer from mental health issues including stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD. After the Hurricane, communities were both physically and emotionally devastated leaving individuals without loved ones, homes, belongings or jobs (Rhodes, J., Chan, C., Paxson, C., Rouse, C. E., Waters, M. and Fussell, E., 2010. p. 238). The Gulf Coast, whose mental health system had been obliterated by the Hurricane, was in desperation of mental health services in order to prevent chaos and initiate recovery immediately. The U.S. government did not provide sufficient services; thus, illustrating how the affected communities’ mental health needs weren’t being met and continue to not be met today. The survivors of Hurricane Katrina did not receive sufficient mental health services due to lack of government action and lack of programs with the capacity to assist large numbers of people which resulted in the individuals and communities affected to endure homelessness, poverty, and mental health issues even till this day.

    Read More

  • Engineering disasters

    694 Words  | 2 Pages

    On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia was lost due to structural failure in the left wing. On take-off, it was reported that a piece of foam insulation surrounding the shuttle fleet's 15-story external fuel tanks fell off of Columbia's tank and struck the shuttle's left wing. Extremely hot gas entered the front of Columbia's left wing just 16 seconds after the orbiter penetrated the hottest part of Earth's atmosphere on re-entry. The shuttle was equipped with hundreds of temperature sensors positioned at strategic locations. The salvaged flight recorded revealed that temperatures started to rise in the left wing leading edge a full minute before any trouble on the shuttle was noted. With a damaged left wing, Columbia started to drag left. The ships' flight control computers fought a losing battle trying to keep Columbia's nose pointed forward.

    Read More

  • PTSD and Hurricane Katrina

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    In times of emergency, life and death, and tragic despair, people often are reminded of the umbrella of stress that hangs over us. With such a world people live in today, at times its common to be caught up in the minor details of life; rather than enjoying the beauty of it all. Almost everyday, we live in a sheltered life, hidden away in our communities, just trying to skate by. But there are sometimes moments that occur in a lifetime, where that sheltered routine, that is so ingrained in our minds, is taken upon differently. August 29, 2005, day one of hurricane Katrina; this date, is one that is permanently ingrained in thousands of citizens of New Orleans. On this day, people have seen family members drown, houses destroyed, as well as the memories of such a beautiful city float by them. Because of this one day, that umbrella of stress hanging over these people is present for a life time. The enormous amount of stress that hurricane Katrina victims have gone through have not only resulted in physical health issues, but a psychological sickness no other than post-traumatic stress disorder. But who is to blame for such an event? Some might say it is just natures course, but this blame should be put on no one other than the United States government. Due to the poorly planned evacuation process of the United States government, as well as post hurricane Katrina living conditions, the citizens of New Orleans who underwent intense psychological stress have a significantly increased likelihood of being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

    Read More

  • The Interrelationship Between Theories of Psychotherapy and the Techniques Used By Those Theories

    2182 Words  | 5 Pages

    In conclusion, Anderson et al. (2010) discussed the relationship between therapeutic models and the techniques utilized by them. However, the contextual model that they posit in this article is built upon a postmodern philosophy and has numerous flaws. As a result, I reject many of their arguments, at least as they are presented. Despite this, there was some information (albeit modified) from this article that I can incorporate into my own practice as a therapist.

    Read More

  • Tracy Smith Behavior Machine Analysis

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    While her therapist helps her with her father, the therapist unintentionally improves her relationship with her husband. At Southeastern Louisiana University’s common read, Smith explains, “I think I was able to meet him [her husband] because I cleared up a lot of silly stuff through therapy” (Smith). This confirmation allows the reader to receive a higher understanding of the effect therapy impacted Tracy K. Smith.

    Read More

  • Disaster Mental Health

    1076 Words  | 3 Pages

    Necessary Behavioral Mental Health intervention does not end at the point first responders have successfully contained the actual crisis. The ongoing need for Behavioral Mental Health services will continue for an extended length of time when a traumatic event such as that depicted in the scenario occur. A copious number of individuals will have ...

    Read More

  • Law Enforcement During Natural Disasters in the United States

    1544 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...pport that can help to reveal stress and trauma during natural disasters. Also this study focuses on the way law enforcement and government handled the stress and the negative impact of social environment and stress.

    Read More

  • Counseling: Ethical Issues

    1774 Words  | 4 Pages

    Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (9th Edition). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing.

    Read More

  • Crisis Intervention Essay

    2283 Words  | 5 Pages

    and man-made disasters as well as for the EMH staff that render services in these times of community crisis.

    Read More

  • PTSD In The Military

    1181 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is crucial to understand the risk factors as well as how to handle the victims. Also, it is necessary to look at the susceptibility among the various sections of society as well as the impact of natural disasters. Women are seen as being more susceptible to PTSD as opposed to their male counterparts and this may arise from the exposure to nonsexual assaultive violence. The other aspect that may contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder is natural disasters where direct victims are profoundly affected as compared to those who can be placed at the periphery of the disasters. Individuals who are seen as possessing PTSD signs should be accorded the needed help as well as offered the various treatments such as psychotherapy as well as

    Read More

  • Disaster Recovery Planning

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    Introduction Disaster Recovery Planning is the critical factor that can prevent headaches or nightmares experienced by an organization in times of disaster. Having a disaster recovery plan marks the difference between organizations that can successfully manage crises with minimal cost, effort and with maximum speed, and those organizations that cannot. By having back-up plans, not only for equipment and network recovery, but also detailed disaster recovery plans that precisely outline what steps each person involved in recovery efforts should undertake, an organization can improve their recovery time and minimize the disruption time for their normal business functions. Thus, it is essential that disaster recovery plans are carefully laid out and updated regularly. Part of the plan should include a system where regular training occurs for network engineers and managers.

    Read More

  • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

    1617 Words  | 4 Pages

    Corey, G. (2011). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (ninth ed., pp. 291-301). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

    Read More

  • Social Media & Disaster Response

    1181 Words  | 3 Pages

    Social media has become both popular and crucial in crisis and emergency communications. Responders are not only communicating to their public through social media outlets, the public is communicating with each other, and with responders. Individuals are able to provide important information on disaster impacts, including location and imagery, using nothing more than a smartphone equipped with a camera and GPS locator. One particular technology from Ushahidi offers an interesting way for responders and affected individuals to communicate with one another in the course of a disaster response. The Ushahidi BRCK offers an application of technology that, while not originally designed for use in the emergency management field, has an application in the response to a disaster. This and other technologies contribute to the ever changing way responders and individuals communicate.

    Read More

  • Disaster Preparedness and The CERT IS-317 Summary

    1355 Words  | 3 Pages

    The purpose of this CERT IS-317 course was to prepare individuals not part of the professional disasters relief field to help in the event of a disaster. These everyday individuals become part of a team that can aid in preparing their families, neighbors, and coworkers for the threat of a disaster. CERT program participants become familiar with disaster preparedness, fire safety, hazardous chemical awareness, disaster medical operations, terroristic threats, and search and rescue procedures. Following the completion of this course and along with hands-on class room course experience the CERT participants will be valuable aids to professionals during a disaster (CERT Training Manual, 2011).

    Read More

More about Disaster Response

Open Document