Description:

Introduces the applied content of mental health participation in post-disaster programs

Purpose:

To place in context the role of mental health workers within a multidisciplinary post-disaster setting

To present sociocultural guidelines for understanding post-disaster reactions in differing populations

Content:

• Historical overview in the U.S.

• The mental health worker as a disaster assistance participant/helper

• Key sociocultural variables affecting post-disaster behavior

Learning Objectives:

• To acquire knowledge of key historical developments in the field of post-disaster crisis intervention

• To identify and differentiate the role, skills, and attitudes of the mental health worker within a multidisciplinary setting

• To identify the sociocultural factors influencing post-disaster reactions in the survivor population

• To identify the cultural diversity issues that may arise during assessment, outreach, crisis counseling, and post-disaster interventions

• To recognize important similarities and differences between cultural groups