Reflections on the Opportunities and Challenges of Disaster Response

Abstract

This reaction article applauds the authors of the Major Contribution for their thoughtful and thorough consideration of the myriad issues that accompany disaster mental health work. The reaction highlights three themes that emerged in the articles of the contribution: opportunities for collaboration, opportunities for the application of social justice, and opportunities for bioecological research and interventions. In addition, suggestions are made for future exploration of prevention opportunities, separating the reality of disaster response from popular media images, and ethical considerations for counseling psychologists working as disaster responders.

Ethical standards for mental health and psychosocial support research in emergencies: review of literature and current debates

“…Protection needs Protection framework [ 18 , 19 , 21 , 28 , 35 , 37 ] Vulnerability: contested concept [ 19 , 32 , 46 , 51 ] Individual situational approach [ 35 , 46 ] Serious mental disorders [ 21 , 35 , 54 , 65 ] Potential for exploitation [ 21 , 36 , 45 ] Accountability i. Fair selection and specialist training of research and auxiliary staff Adequate preparation [ 20 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 29 – 32 , 42 – 44 , 47 , 54 , 61 , 65 ] Answerable to stakeholders [ 47 , 54 ] Transparent staff selection [ 15 , 21 , 31 , 32 , 43 , 54 – 56 , 64 , 66 ] Specialist training [ 1 , 14 , 21 , …”

“…Whilst what constitutes “fair” benefits was contested, there was broad agreement that benefits be defined in direct relation to burdens: as risks increase, so should the benefits [ 36 ]. Certain risk / benefit considerations were identified as requiring special attention in emergencies: awareness of socio-political context [ 1 , 15 ] including safety considerations such as when gathering groups [ 21 ]; strength of confidentiality and anonymity procedures, avoiding (inadvertent) disclosure, recognising the harm this may cause to individuals and communities [ 21 , 35 , 40 ]; understanding the impact dissemination may have upon communities receiving aid and services [ 41 , 42 ]; adequate responses to research participants’ discomfort or adverse reactions, including functional referral pathways for MHPSS care [ 14 , 18 , 26 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 35 , 43 , 44 ] determined by the level of risk that the research [ 45 ] or the participant’s situation presents [ 46 ]; communication of risks and benefits in informed consent, identifying risks that matter to participants in/following a particular emergency [ 39 ]. ensuring researcher self-care [ 14 , 31 ].…”

“…adequate responses to research participants’ discomfort or adverse reactions, including functional referral pathways for MHPSS care [ 14 , 18 , 26 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 35 , 43 , 44 ] determined by the level of risk that the research [ 45 ] or the participant’s situation presents [ 46 ];…”

“…Methodologically sound research requires methods to be practiced well [ 52 ]. Avoiding labelling, stigmatising or pathologising participants is viewed to be particularly important for populations who may be disempowered following an emergency [ 21 , 31 , 35 , 43 ]. To achieve this, researchers need to be aware of contested or culturally rooted concepts such as “childhood” [ 21 ], and to avoid reified and simplistic understandings of, for example, “community” [ 31 ].…”

Managing Ethical Challenges to Mental Health Research in Post‐Conflict Settings

“…Risk assessments are an integral element of developing a research protocol, including budgeting and planning to manage potential risks to participants and researchers . Managing risks to the research team is essential to ethical research which is dependent upon researcher competency to practice, including addressing stress and fear. Guidelines to support development of protocols to manage researcher safety have been suggested.…”