2nd Edition
Disaster Mental Health Interventions Core Principles and Practices
Introduction
1 What Is Disaster Mental Health?
A Brief History
The Role of the Helper
“I Don’t Need Mental Health”
Who Provides the Mental Health Response?
Settings
The DMH Role over Time
Who Are Your Clients?
2 Describing Disasters
Types and Frequencies of Events
Disasters versus Routine Emergencies
Disaster Characteristics
3 Disaster’s Impact: Typical Reactions
Reactions by Realm
Reactions by Time: Throughout the Disaster Life Cycle
Reactions by Location: Proximity and the Dose– Response
Relationship
Survivor Guilt, Self- Blame, and Shame
Resilience
Posttraumatic Growth
4 Disaster Loss and Grief
Reactions to Loss
Characteristics of Disaster-Caused Deaths
Ambiguous Loss
Media’s Impact
The Role of Rituals
Public Rituals
Supporting the Bereaved
Anniversary Reactions
5 Disaster’s Impact: Extreme Reactions
Risk Factors for PTSD and Other Illnesses
Trajectories following Traumatic Events
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults
Major Depressive Disorder
Prolonged Grief Disorder
Other Health and Mental Health Problems
Referrals for Long-Term Care
6 Early Interventions: Psychological First Aid
The Importance of Early Intervention
Evidence-Based Principles of Early Intervention
Psychological First Aid
Some Cautions when Using PFA
7 Early Interventions: Other Actions
Assisting with Problem-Solving
Correcting Distorted Self-Cognitions
Rumor Control, Misinformation, and Disinformation
Conflict Mitigation
Assessment, Triage, and Screening
Referrals for Long- Term Care
Psychological Debriefing: Criticisms and Cautions
Teaching Neighbors to Help Neighbors
Coping in Today’s World
An Ounce of Prevention …
8 High-Needs Populations
Frail Older Adults
People with Physical Disabilities
People with Mental Disabilities
Other High-Needs Groups
9 Children and Families
Children’s Trauma Reactions
Risk Factors
Dread About Climate Change and School Shootings
Helping Children and Families
Talking with Children
Making Referrals
10 Cultural Considerations
How Culture Shapes Functioning
How Culture Shapes Reactions to Disaster
Cross-Cultural Issues in Shelters
Improving Your Ability to Help Across Cultures
11 Maintaining Helper Wellness and Competence
Logistics of Deployment
Helper Reactions
Self- Care
12 Conclusions and New Directions
Forced Migration
Incorporating Technology in Disaster Response
Artificial Intelligence in Disaster Preparedness and Response
The Continuing Need for Research
Prevention Through Advocacy
A Final Note
Index
Biography
James Halpern, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Counseling and Founding Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at The State University of New York at New Paltz. He has given numerous scholarly and training presentations on trauma and disaster mental health throughout the US and abroad. He has consulted for the United Nations on Assisting Victims of Terror. He received the Lifetime Mission Leader award from the American Red Cross.
Karla Vermeulen, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where she formerly served as the Deputy Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health. She has developed multiple training curricula for organizations including the American Red Cross, USAID, the United Nations, and New York State agencies including the Office of Mental Health, Department of Health, and Division of Emergency Services, and she has trained professionals including healthcare providers, funeral directors, judges, and librarians, as well as mental health professionals.
"This is an essential text for any mental health professional who wishes to serve communities ethically and effectively in the aftermath of a disaster. The authors skillfully weave together case studies, practical examples, and current research in a way that easily engages the reader. The book sensitively covers grief, loss, the needs of different community members, and taking care of ourselves as helpers. I use it in my teaching!"
Erika Felix, Ph.D., Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara
"In the second edition of Disaster Mental Health Interventions: Core Principles and Practices, James Halpern and Karla Vermeulen update their landmark publication with a broad focus that allows a reader to find the best and most recent thinking on disaster mental health in one volume. This book is a primary reference book for all professionals who may be confronted with disasters in their communities, while also written in a style that invites reader engagement."
Richard G. Tedeschi, Ph.D., Executive Director, Boulder Crest Institute for Posttraumatic Growth
