Respond
DURING A DISASTER
It can be helpful to think of the experience of disaster as comprising two phases: the acute or immediate phase of a disaster as it occurs, and the rebuilding or recovery phase, which may unfold over a period of months or years. Both phases can bring with them unique stressors.
As a health practitioner, and depending on your professional role, it is important to be competent in the use of mental health strategies applicable to both phases of disaster, and the range of mental health needs that might arise. In this section you will find links to information, resources and training programs that will help you as you respond to the mental health needs of disaster-impacted individuals and communities.
WATCH OUR VIDEO FOR MORE INFORMATION
VIDEO IS 1:24MINS IN LENGTH. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT
EMPLOY evidence-informed or evidence-based strategies at the right times
REFER to your mental health disaster preparation plan and resources
CONSIDER the need to ‘step-up’ levels of care and refer individuals to the relevant mental health services as necessary
ENGAGE in self-care, and take an active role in looking after team wellbeing
Health practitioners, health professional groups, governments and other organisations increasingly recognise that there are interventions that can be provided during and immediately after a disaster to help support the psychological wellbeing of individuals and communities – these are known as Level 1 interventions.
As health practitioners, we can enhance our ability to meet the mental health needs of disaster-impacted individuals in a timely fashion by using interventions such as Psychological First Aid (or PFA)- simple psychological strategies designed to address transient psychosocial difficulties. PFA sits within a stepped-care approach to the provision of mental health services and is considered a Level 1 intervention, best implemented as a disaster unfolds and in its aftermath. PFA involves the timely provision of meaningful information and practical support to disaster-impacted individuals, and can be offered by a range of practitioners – training as a mental health professional is not necessary.
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERPIN THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID
VIDEO IS 6:12MINS IN LENGTH. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT
The Guide to Disaster Recovery Capitals (ReCap Guide) is a resource for people, organisations and governments engaged in disaster recovery.
It aims to support wellbeing after disasters by providing evidence-based guidance to aid decision making, encouraging strengths-based, holistic and inclusive recovery approaches to recovery.
The guide identifies seven areas of recovery – natural, social, financial, cultural, political, built and human – and emphasises the interconnectedness between these ‘recovery capitals’.
View ReCap Guide
