Mental health articles

Key Concepts of Disaster Mental Health
The following guiding principles form the basis for disaster mental health intervention
programs. Not only do these principles describe some departures
and deviations from traditional mental health work; they also orient administrators
and service providers to priority issues. The truth and wisdom reflected
in these principles have been shown over and over again, from disaster to disaster.
No one who sees a disaster is untouched by it.
• There are two types of disaster trauma—individual and community.
• Most people pull together and function during and after a disaster, but their
effectiveness is diminished.
• Disaster stress and grief reactions are normal responses to an abnormal
situation.
• Many emotional reactions of disaster survivors stem from problems of living
brought about by the disaster.
• Disaster relief assistance may be confusing to disaster survivors. They may
experience frustration, anger, and feelings of helplessness related to Federal,
State, and nonprofit agencies’ disaster assistance programs.
• Most people do not see themselves as needing mental health services following
a disaster and will not seek such services.
• Survivors may reject disaster assistance of all types.
• Disaster mental health assistance is often more practical than psychological
in nature.
• Disaster mental health services must be uniquely tailored to the communities
they serve.
• Mental health workers need to set aside traditional methods, avoid the use of
mental health labels, and use an active outreach approach to intervene successfully
in disaster.
• Survivors respond to active, genuine interest, and concern.
• Interventions must be appropriate to the phase of disaster.
• Social support systems are crucial to recovery.

Tags: Mental health