Disaster Services Administration Department of Mental Health

You can also find support and locate mental health services in your area on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. NIMH-supported research is also focused on developing and improving mental health treatments that can help trauma survivors. An influential review of numerous randomized controlled trials of single-session debriefing for individuals found that it lacked effectiveness for reducing distress or preventing PTSD and that it could worsen posttraumatic symptoms, but only in those at greatest risk for PTSD (Rose et al., 2002).

Learn More About Coping During a Natural Disaster

The older age of the study subjects may be the reason for the highest post-disaster anxiety rate which was found in one included study (84%) following the storm in Sri Lanka in 1978 . Similar results from research on post-disaster mental health revealed a significant relationship between disaster and cognitive and mental health . This study found a link between disaster and poorer outcomes for mental health.

Studies investigating the management of moral injury and mental health sequelae among HCWs suggest a tiered approach of anticipating, recognizing, and managing signs of mental illness.54 We recommend that health care leaders implement and encourage supportive “buddy” relationships, managerial debriefs, environmental well-being supports, and rapid access to brief mental health interventions for HCWs. Evidence indicates that perceived or clinically diagnosed need for mental health care does not translate to an increased use of services.9,53 When coupled with existing workforce shortages and health care provider scarcity in many areas of the United States, the surge in mental health needs caused by increasingly occurring disasters will only further strain HCWs. A systematic review of the literature on electronic mental health solutions deployed to support HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as a tele-peer-to-peer psychological support program and an evidence-based digital learning package on psychological well-being for HCWs, found that most identified interventions targeted China’s workforce. Online mental health resources may be useful for some HCWs, although many are unlikely to make contact with a mental health provider, heightening the risk of long-term moral injury.31 A 2020 survey of US HCWs indicated that many report their employers as “falling short” in providing adequate paid sick leave that could be used for mental health care, highlighting the need for supportive workplace benefits such as time off and enhanced health insurance coverage.3 Institutions that receive ARPA funding will be positioned to take the lead on creating local partnerships and resources to directly support HCWs and provide HCW training for management of high levels of exposure to occupational stress.29 Research on the impact of pandemic-related stress on HCWs provides evidence of increasing mental health symptoms.13 An early 2020 study of 1119 HCWs in the United States found that 93% experienced stress, 86% experienced anxiety, 76% experienced exhaustion, and 75% were overwhelmed because of the pandemic.14 Of 1685 HCWs who participated in a subsequent survey, 39% reported PTSD, 33% reported anxiety, 17% reported depressive symptoms, and 5% reported suicidal ideation during the pandemic.15 Mental health concerns among HCWs persisted beyond the first wave of COVID-19 infections in the United States. Effective interventions should be given pre, peri and post-disaster period to improve the adverse mental health effects of the disaster.

1. Self-Help Programs

• Greater access to mental health services that operate both within and outside of typical business hours, as well as effective screening and referral programs for HCWs, may be necessary to reach HCWs.55 Implementation of mental health awareness training for HCWs could also help HCWs recognize their own mental health needs and prioritize their own and their colleagues’ mental well-being.56 Potential structural barriers to implementing mental health supports for HCWs include service provision costs, HCW scheduling and time limitations, insufficient hours of mental health provider availability, and waitlists for services.53 These changes will require the government, health care systems, and HCW employers to act in concert to overcome these potential barriers.57 Without them, hospitals and health systems will continue to face mounting staffing shortages that could jeopardize access to and quality of care.
• Another important role is providing care to the disaster relief workers.
• The intervention is based on the cognitive behavioral model of post-traumatic stress disorder and consists of a single 90 min session, delivered by trained CBT clinical psychologists.
• Train paraprofessionals and community members (e.g., teachers) in the delivery of psychosocial support interventions.
• A minority go on to develop mental health conditions such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

The study’s overall moderate quality and inclusion of participants are two further strengths. Disaster studies are often carried out under exceedingly difficult situations. Contrarily, two studies in South Korea and China revealed a lower prevalence of mental disorder following floods 50,51. The potential causes of depressive illnesses were examined in two studies. The latter high rate could be brought on by a high prevalence of affected people, fatalities, and displacements. Most studies used randomized sample techniques (Figures 7, 8).

Countries can also use emergencies as opportunities to invest in mental health, leveraging the increased aid and attention they receive to develop better care systems for the long term. These crises disrupt families, livelihoods and essential services, and significantly impact mental health. Every year, millions of people are affected by emergencies such as armed conflicts and natural disasters. Innovative solutions are helping people face disasters with greater confidence and hope. Nearly 40 workshops used humour, theatre, juggling, and ‘cartoonathons’ to help people explore how climate change affects mental health.

The remaining two interventions were designed as online or phone-based interventions. Four interventions were designed as face-to-face interventions, although two of them could be applied either in a face-to-face or online format. Five psychosocial support programs targeted adults, and one intervention was developed for children Parenting teens during the coronavirus pandemic and their parents. The Disaster Recovery Web (DRW) Project is a self-help web-based program for adults affected by natural hazards to reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Four modules provide skills and strategies to cope with stress- and trauma-related symptoms, smoking, and alcohol use, and mood-related symptoms. The web-based Bounce Back Now (BBN) is a four-session self-help program for disaster-affected adolescents and parents aiming to reduce post-disaster mental and behavioral problems.