Building Bridges: Mental Health Consumers and Representatives of the Disaster Response Community in Dialogue

December 6, 2007 Natural and manmade disasters have heightened awareness of the critical need to support effective mental health responses. Disasters disrupt stability and structure by altering normal economic and social activities both of individuals and of whole communities. They have and will continue to have serious mental health consequences such as bringing a sense of loss, grief, depression, and change. The focus of the mental health response is to give a mental health assessment and crisis counseling to all residents and evacuees impacted. Second, individuals with serious mental illnesses need appropriate services and supports for the ongoing recovery.This . . .