Sunday, July 10, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. MDT

Whether the result of climate change, natural hazards, active shooter events, or long-term global pandemics, survivors are emotionally impacted. Mental health response must be a critical aspect of disaster preparedness, especially for vulnerable populations. It is also imperative to build resilience to better respond to these calamities. Otherwise, we will continue to live with long-term negative consequences.

Future mental health responses must include both short-term crisis counseling as well as long-term trauma-informed guidance and resiliency measures. An intervention roadmap is essential. This training session will include:

1. Guidance on developing a community-based mental health intervention roadmap that is conducive to all disaster types.
2. Approaches to defining vulnerable populations and their specific needs based on demographics and disaster type.
3. Lessons on defining resiliency and best practices for building resilient populations, both locally and nationally.
4. Suggestions to those who are interested in present or future employment in the field of disaster mental health.

Attendees will be encouraged to explore the roles that they play in furthering these efforts.