The purpose of this course is to provide training for mental health professionals who work with victims of disaster related stress and trauma. This workshop prepares the disaster mental health professional to relate with disaster victims and co-workers. The warning signs and symptoms in both disaster victims and workers are explored together with stages, strategies and interventions for recovery. No prior psychological training in Disaster Mental Health is assumed or required.

This course is designed to help participants identify appropriate methods for activating Disaster Mental Health Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) for disaster mental health services for victims, co-workers, and self.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After taking this course, participants will be able to:

Define "Crisis Intervention" as it relates to disaster situations.

Identify the stages of disaster recovery and problems associated with each stage.

Identify the signs and symptoms of disaster induced stress and emotional trauma.

Discuss and be able to recognize disaster's effects and impacts on disaster workers, first responders and victims.

Identify common strategies for coping with disaster related stress.

Demonstrate approaches learned by responding to a table-top crisis scenario.