Lessons from Katrina: Disaster mental health service in the Gulf Coast region.

Abstract

In this article, 4 mental health professionals provide firsthand accounts of experiences as volunteers in the Gulf Coast region following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the fall of 2006. These accounts are provided with the goal of informing psychologists and other mental health providers about the role of volunteers from a frontline perspective. The authors offer these observations as a compliment to formal training in disaster preparedness that psychologists might receive for volunteer service in the wake of a devastating disaster. Specifically, the authors discuss the training they received, the settings in which they worked, and the client needs and mental health skills they used to meet those needs. Last, the lessons the authors learned about providing disaster mental health services are discussed. It is hoped that these observations might inspire others to lend their expertise and compassion in response to future catastrophic events.

The psychological impacts of global climate change.

“…Disaster intervention research has identified groups likely to be at greater psychosocial risk, including women, children, the elderly, the rural and urban poor, racial and ethnic minorities, those with a previous history of emotional disability, inhabitants of developing rather than developed countries, and in general, those with a marginalized predisaster existence (Haskett, Scott, Nears, & Grimmett, 2008;Norris, Friedman, Watson, Byrne, et al, 2002). In terms of climate change, individuals with mental illness are particularly vulnerable to heat-related injury and mortality due to risk factors such as the use of psychotropic medication, preexisting respiratory and cardiovascular disease, substance misuse, and poor quality housing (Page & Howard, 2010).…”

Awakening: Career Opportunities After the Storm

“…Most of the literature related to the impact and subsequent recovery from natural disasters examines the impact of the disaster on children (Madrid & Grant, 2008;Tuicomepee & Romano, 2008), whereas other researchers focus on the mental health needs of individuals immediately following natural disasters (Cohan & Cole, 2002;Haskett, Scott, Nears, & Grimmett, 2008;Jones, Immel, Moore, & Hadder, 2008;Jordan, 2002;Levy, 2008). Few, however, focus on providing life planning (Peavy, 1996) to adult survivors of natural disasters 3 months to 1 year following the event.…”

“…When humanitarian agencies initially respond to a catastrophic event, immediate services are provided by first responders. First responders are people who live in the area (ARC, 2011), who balance their own needs and responsibilities while providing food, shelter, and clothing to other survivors (Haskett et al, 2008) and offering comfort to close family members (Terr, 1992). The primary focus of humanitarian agencies is the provision of basic needs for individuals by first responders (ARC, 2011;Haskett et al, 2008;Jones et al, 2008;Madrid & Grant, 2008).…”

Best Lessons for Well‐being From Psychologists: Implications for the Public and for Psychology

“…We referred to these as “key lessons” or “best lessons.” Norcross () used similar terminology to study the “lasting lessons” that psychotherapists reported from undertaking personal psychotherapy. Haskett, Scott, Nears, and Grimmett () described lessons learned from their experience as volunteer mental health workers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Humphreys () elucidated the “basic lessons of psychology” that infused mental health initiatives related to the Iraq war.…”