Demystifying Disaster Psychiatry: What Can District Branches Do?-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The video discusses the importance of cultural considerations in disaster response, highlighted by Leslie Guise, a clinical professor of psychiatry. She shares her experiences, including responding to the 2018 lava disaster in Hawaii. Guise, originally from New York and living in Maui for 30 years, emphasizes her involvement in disaster psychiatry post-9/11, leading to her engagement with the Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster and roles in mental health initiatives. She collaborates with Katie Koh and others to enhance disaster preparedness within various district branches, stressing the unpredictable nature of such events. The video showcases efforts in North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Southern California to integrate disaster psychiatry, addressing both natural and man-made disasters. In North Carolina, Therese Garrett discusses their approach, focusing on regular disaster threats such as hurricanes, and building connections with state agencies and professional organizations to enhance mental health support during and after disasters. The Massachusetts Psychiatric Society has adopted a broad view of disasters, considering events like the opioid crisis and climate change, and offers training and resources for preparedness and response. Southern California's efforts, led by Danielle Cheng, highlight rebuilding their disaster relief committee, emphasizing training and partnerships with organizations like the Red Cross to effectively respond to refugee crises and other challenges. The session underlines that resilience is normal with psychological first aid practices being most effective in addressing immediate community needs, providing education on psychological reactions, and promoting preparedness and coordinated mental health responses.

Keywords

cultural considerations

disaster response

Leslie Guise

psychiatry

2018 lava disaster

disaster psychiatry

mental health initiatives

disaster preparedness

natural and man-made disasters

psychological first aid

resilience

community needs

mental health support