Feasibility of Disaster Mental Health Preparedness Training for Black Communities

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="S1935789313000670_abs1" sec-type="general"><jats:title>Objectives</jats:title><jats:p>To test the feasibility of developing evidence-based mental health training to build capacity to respond to natural disasters in black communities and the adaptation of a train-the-trainer (TTT) model for black community leaders and clinical providers in distressed areas at risk of natural disasters.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1935789313000670_abs2" sec-type="methods"><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>A core curriculum was developed based on a training needs assessment and resource review. Participants were recruited using network sampling in eastern North Carolina. The core curriculum was tested for usability, revised, and then pilot tested among five mental health providers. Three of the five were trained to lead one-day workshops tailored for black community leaders and clinical providers. Process data were collected, and workshop participants completed posttraining knowledge tests, evaluation forms, and debriefing focus groups.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1935789313000670_abs3" sec-type="results"><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Ten providers and 13 community leaders pilot tested the training. Posttest knowledge scores were generally higher among clinical providers. Perceived effectiveness of training was higher among community-based organization leaders than clinical providers. Evaluations indicated that the workshop components were culturally relevant and well received by all participants. We identified ways to facilitate recruitment, provide optional e-learning, evaluate effectiveness, and extend trainer support in future field trials.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="S1935789313000670_abs4" sec-type="conclusion"><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>The curriculum and TTT model provide culturally competent disaster mental health preparedness training for black communities. (<jats:italic>Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness</jats:italic>. 2013;7:302-312)</jats:p></jats:sec>

Development and Two-Year Follow-Up Evaluation of a Training Workshop for the Large Preventive Positive Psychology Happy Family Kitchen Project in Hong Kong

“…Our TTT presented differs in important ways from most of the TTTs reported in the literature. Most of the TTTs in the literature were 3-day[ 10 , 13 , 14 , 20 , 24 ], 5-day[ 4 ], 8-day[ 55 ] or 10-day[ 25 ] training programs. Our study cannot assess whether this shorter TTT was as effective as a longer one.…”

“…Quantitative evaluations of the effectiveness of TTT programs were rarely reported. Where formal evaluation was included, investigators compared changes from before to immediately after the training[ 16 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 26 ] or reported post assessment results immediately after the training but without a pre-test[ 14 , 18 , 23 , 25 , 56 ]. A rare example of follow-up evaluation was reported by the “Be Poison Smart” programs, which showed an increase in knowledge scores only of the participants at six weeks after training.…”

“…Experts train the key stakeholders to deliver services[ 9 ], ideally in focused programs with minimum time and cost burden, resulting in efficient and effective utilization of available resources. In the social service sector, this train-the-trainer educational model has been implemented to train personnel who have served, among others, survivors of natural disasters [ 10 – 14 ], individuals with traumatic stress[ 15 ], victims with domestic violence[ 16 ] and ethnic minority citizens with health disparities[ 17 ]. It has also been adopted in preventive efforts such as perinatal depression screening[ 18 ] poison prevention[ 19 ], youth development support[ 20 ], parenting support[ 21 ], and health and mental care for the ageing education[ 22 ].…”

“…Although there has been significant interest in the literature on the concept of the train-the-trainer program/workshop (TTT), identifying the gaps had guided the design of this study. First, few reports of TTTs evaluated the effectiveness of the training program[ 4 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 21 – 26 ]. When TTTs in the social service were evaluated, it was done most typically immediately upon completion, or in the short term (for example, Polivka et al 2006 examined training outcomes six weeks after training completion)[ 19 ].…”

Trauma is a public health issue

“…Safety considerations, such as providing food and shelter and reuniting families post-disaster, may go a long way to reassure disaster survivors and prevent the development of mental health symptoms. Such support and intervention does not occur successfully in poorly organized or disenfranchised communities; thus, efforts to develop and promote strong proactive communities and build capacity to respond to disasters can also be seen as secondary prevention (Laborde, Magruder, Caye, & Parrish, 2013). From the societal point of view, policies that promote early intervention are also helpful as secondary prevention measures.…”