The Fundamentals of Disaster Mental Health Practice (FDMHP) training is designed to prepare licensed clinical mental health providers to more effectively deliver mental health and psychosocial supports to individuals, families and communities in the immediate aftermath of disasters and other potentially traumatic events. FDMHP will provide attendees with a framework for providing mental health support to restore social and behavioral functioning following the disruptions that result from disasters and collective traumatic events. This training will specifically provide attendees with information about how disaster mental health practice differs from traditional mental health treatment, the common and less common reactions to assess for in those who have survived disasters and other traumatic events, and factors that mediate the intensity of survivors' reactions. Attendees will also learn several techniques and skills for effectively delivering mental health early-interventions to survivors which address the immediate needs of the critical incident, while also discussing how to manage their own self-care and wellness as disaster responders themselves. The FDMHP training will culminate in an application of practice which will provide a chance for attendees to practice and hone their skills in a mock post-disaster situation.
Training Objectives:
• Describe how disaster mental health differs from more traditional mental health practices
• Describe key considerations of culture and vulnerability that shape how individuals experience and recover from disasters.
• Describe key considerations for self-care for disaster responders and consider healthy coping mechanisms.
• Identify the range of typical reactions common in survivors and the mediating, risk, and protective factors that influence these reactions.
• Describe different recovery trajectories experienced by disaster survivors.
• Apply the principles of Psychological First Aid and practice its core elements.
• Identify and describe assessments, early interventions, and screening and referral to identify and assist those demonstrating a need for mental health support.
Training Outline:
Module 1: Intro to DMH: What, Where, and for Whom
1. Defining disaster mental health, its application, and function
2. Cultural considerations
3. Vulnerability
4. Navigating resistance
Module 2: Helping in Chaos: Practical Considerations and Self-Care
1. Understanding self-care within the context of the work itself
2. Occupational hazards
3. Applying self-care strategies
4. Identifying obstacles to self-care
5. Post-disaster
Module 3: Disaster's Impact: Range of Reactions
1. Defining stress and trauma
2. Reactions throughout the disaster life cycle
3. Less common reactions
4. Other considerations
Module 4: Disaster Mental Health Interventions
1. Resilience and post-traumatic growth
2. Elements of Psychological First Aid
3. Additional early interventions
4. Navigating: rumor control, conflict
5. Long-term care
Module 5: Practice and Disaster Recovery Exercise
Target Audience: licensed mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors, counselor education students, and psychology graduate students.
Instructor:
Andrew O’Meara, M.S.
Program Manager for the Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH)
SUNY New Paltz
Continuing Education:
Earn up to 5 Continuing Education (CE) credits. CE credits are available for New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Master Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Psychologists. Attendance for the entire virtual training is required to receive the full 5 CE credits.