ABSTRACT
This article highlights one department's efforts to bolster diversity, equity, and inclusion as an exemplar for other academic departments. It offers an approach for building an infrastructure and leadership group and details accomplishments associated with strategic plan priorities related to visibility, values, stakeholder education, recruitment, retention, promotion, and community engagement. It also delineates challenges encountered in transforming a departmental culture to one that is more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and strategies for overcoming these challenges. Finally, it discusses next steps and recommendations for other academic departments.
ABSTRACT
Mental health is seen as an important aspect in the community response to crisis and disaster. Research offers limited guidance to what interventions are likely to be effective in preventing postdisaster mental health problems. This article reviews recommended elements of mental health responses to community disasters. Different factors influencing response are illustrated by using 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as examples. Clinical suggestions for community planning and actions of individual psychologists conclude the article.
Subject(s)
Community Mental Health Services , Crisis Intervention , Disasters , Bereavement , Disaster Planning , Grief , Health Planning , Humans , Needs Assessment , September 11 Terrorist Attacks/psychology , Social Support , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy , United StatesABSTRACT
Following a brief introduction to response planning for terrorism and other disasters, the authors present their experiences in developing a grassroots, interdisciplinary group charged with incorporating a mental health response component into the bioterrorism response plan for the metropolitan Atlanta area. This group was organized and supported by the Center for Public Health Preparedness at the DeKalb County Board of Health. Various viewpoints of key participating agencies are presented. Recommendations are provided for other localities and stakeholders who plan to incorporate a community mental health component into local disaster response plans.
