Mental Health Support During and After a Disaster

Supporting Those Dealing with Trauma

Nancy Haugen, PhD specializes in 'Disaster Mental Health' created some 'Cliff's Notes' to keep in mind so that we can all be empowered to support mental health for those in pain.

Trauma Support
1. Whereas in the Emergency Room there is the Golden Hour (time to get to the ER when there has been a trauma), in Disaster Mental Health there is the Golden Month. There are 30 days from the point of the disaster, to make a major difference. Any intervention, support, kindness that can happen during those 30 days will change the long-term outcome. It is significant.
2. Given how the brain shuts down in a disaster, victims are not able to process words very well. They will track on tone of your voice and your body posture.
3. Don't problem solve, most important task is to just Listen.
4. Sharing where resources are is important – if possible, give a written form of the list so that they can refer to it later. They won't remember much if you just tell them.
5. Asking open ended questions (How can I help?) are not helpful because it asks too much of the victim's brain to figure that out. Present two choices with yes or no answer. (May I drop off food Friday or Saturday?)
6. After the fires are contained, and the media leaves (referred to as the Honeymoon period – "we're going to make it! We're going to stick together!), most victims experience depression. The research indicates that the depression will last for a while, so keep in mind that ongoing supportive gestures, any intervention, support, kindness, is still needed. After the depression period lifts (can be as long as a couple years), people most often report that they feel that they have a new life.

Please Cut/Paste & Repost! We thank you for your community support in the effort to spread the Importance of Mental Health!

Would you like to Volunteer in North Bay?

EHI Supports the North Bay Communities

How To Volunteer During the Wildfire Disaster Recovery

EHI faculty and students are volunteering up in the communities affected by the most wildfires. For therapeutic professionals and concerned neighbors who want to help we would like to share the information that is being shared with us.

Volunteers and Donations Welcome

Here are some of the places you can contact to volunteer or donate.

The Volunteer Center of Sonoma has opportunities for both Volunteering and Donating. Listed are evacuation shelters in need of volunteers, donation centers.

The Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa is looking for volunteers.

Salvation Army of Santa Rosa needs help sorting donations.

The Red Cross is accepting volunteers for Sonoma County: please visit the Red Cross Volunteer Connection to sign up.

Redwood Psychological Association

Joe Puentes, PsyD, President of the RPA has offered his listserv to members to share resources and information about needs in the community. He also asks that non-members who are interested can contact admin@RPApsych.org to request crisis support information via their listserv.

Disaster Healthcare Volunteers Site

Visit the Disaster Healthcare Volunteer Site if you're a healthcare provider with an active license, a public health professional, or a member of a medical disaster response team in California who would like to volunteer for disaster service.

Sonoma County Wildfire News and Resources

The Sonoma County News page lists wildfire related resources, the lastest news, current evacuations, fire updates, resources for evacuees and those effected by the wildfires.

Upcoming Event for Therapists: Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference

Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference

December 13-17, 2017

Conference Presented by The Milton H. Erickson Foundation
Location: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California

About the Conference
Every five years since 1985, the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference attracts worldwide attention as the most respected gathering of master practitioners in the field of psychotherapy. Created and sponsored by the Milton H. Erickson Foundation (and co-sponsored by Cal State Fullerton Department of Counseling, and the School of Behavioral Sciences, and California Southern University) the Conference includes workshops, point/counterpoint discussions, state of the art clinical demonstrations, dialogues, panels, and conversation hours. Beginning in 2009, the conference was scheduled on a four-year cycle.

Find out More:
For more info please visit the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference site here >>

Download the Conference Brochure
The full conference brochure, including bios of conference faculty and the session schedule is  available for download here >>

Register Today
Jump right in and register for the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference today >>