scholarly journals Incorporating Mental Health Research into Disaster Risk Reduction: An Online Training Module for the Hazards and Disaster Workforce

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1244
Author(s):  
Candace M. Evans ◽  
Rachel M. Adams ◽  
Lori Peek
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Training Module ◽  
Health Training

There is an expansive and growing body of literature that examines the mental health consequences of disasters and large-scale emergencies. There is a need, however, for more explicit incorporation of mental health research into disaster risk reduction practices. Training and education programs can serve as a bridge to connect academic mental health research and the work of disaster risk reduction practitioners. This article describes the development and evaluation of one such intervention, the CONVERGE Disaster Mental Health Training Module, which provides users from diverse academic and professional backgrounds with foundational knowledge on disaster mental health risk factors, mental health outcomes, and psychosocial well-being research. Moreover, the module helps bridge the gap between research and practice by describing methods used to study disaster mental health, showcasing examples of evidence-based programs and tools, and providing recommendations for future research. Since its initial release on 8 October 2019, 317 trainees from 12 countries have completed the Disaster Mental Health Training Module. All trainees completed a pre- and post-training questionnaire regarding their disaster mental health knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests demonstrated a significant increase in all three measures after completion of the training module. Students, emerging researchers or practitioners, and trainees with a high school/GED education level experienced the greatest benefit from the module, with Kruskal–Wallis results indicating significant differences in changes in knowledge and skills across the groups. This evaluation research highlights the effectiveness of the Disaster Mental Health Training Module in increasing knowledge, skills, and attitudes among trainees. This article concludes with a discussion of how this training can support workforce development and ultimately contribute to broader disaster risk reduction efforts.

scholarly journals Reducing the Future Risk of Trauma: On the Integration of Global Disaster Policy within Specific Health Domains and Established Fields of Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennart Reifels
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Mental Health ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Recovery Orientation ◽  
Health Policy And Practice

The global increase in the frequency and severity of natural hazards and extreme climatic events necessitates more efficient global and national strategies to reduce the likelihood and impact of traumatic consequences for disaster-affected populations. The recent inclusion of mental health in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction marks a pivotal point in the recognition of the significant burden of disasters on mental health, and a global commitment to reducing its impacts. Nevertheless, effective agreement implementation and efforts to reduce disaster mental health risks are facing significant challenges. These include a lack of clarity about the conceptual interlinkages and place of disaster risk reduction principles within the field of disaster mental health, which is traditionally marked by a prevailing recovery orientation, and the need for effective translation into disaster mental health policy and practice. Therefore, this study drew on data from interviews with European disaster mental health and risk reduction experts in order to appraise the merit and implications of a global disaster risk reduction policy for advancing population mental health in the context of disaster. Study findings outline existing opportunities, challenges, and key strategies for the integration of disaster risk reduction within disaster mental health policy and practice.

scholarly journals Tailoring Disaster Risk Reduction for Adolescents: Perspectives from China and Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s71-s71
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Newnham ◽  
Xue Gao ◽  
Jessica Tearne ◽  
Bhushan Guragain ◽  
Feng Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Adolescent Participation

Introduction:More than half of the world’s youth live in the Asia Pacific region, yet efforts to reduce disaster risk for adolescents are hindered by an absence of age-specific data on protection, health, and engagement.Aim:China and Nepal have faced a recent escalation in the number of climatic and geological hazards affecting urban and rural communities. We aimed to examine disaster-related threats experienced by adolescents and their caregivers in China and Nepal, determine the scope for adolescent participation, and elicit recommendations for improving disaster risk reduction.Methods:Sixty-nine adolescents (51% female, ages 13-19) and 72 adults (47% female, ages 22-66) participated in key informant interviews and focus group discussions in disaster-affected areas of southern China and Nepal. Using inductive content analysis, several themes were identified as key to adolescents’ needs.Results:Security and protection emerged as a central issue, interlinked with preparedness, timely and equitable disaster response, psychosocial support, and adolescent participation. The mental health risks emerging from trauma exposure were substantial. Adolescents made extensive contributions to disaster response including involvement in rescue efforts and delivering first aid, rebuilding homes and caring for family members. Participants forwarded a number of recommendations, including investing in psychological support, skills training, and stronger systems of protection for those at risk of family separation, trafficking, or removal from school.Discussion:The findings informed a multilevel, interconnected model for disaster risk reduction tailored to adolescents’ needs. Supporting adolescents’ recovery and long-term resilience after humanitarian crises will require coordinated efforts in preparedness, security, and mental health care.

scholarly journals Mental health research in Brazil: policies, infrastructure, financing and human resources

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jair de Jesus Mari ◽  
Rodrigo A Bressan ◽  
Naomar Almeida-Filho ◽  
Jerônimo Gerolin ◽  
Pratap Sharan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
State Funding ◽  
Funding Agency ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
International Knowledge

The objective of this descriptive study was to map mental health research in Brazil, providing an overview of infrastructure, financing and policies mental health research. As part of the Atlas-Research Project, a WHO initiative to map mental health research in selected low and middle-income countries, this study was carried out between 1998 and 2002. Data collection strategies included evaluation of governmental documents and sites and questionnaires sent to key professionals for providing information about the Brazilian mental health research infrastructure. In the year 2002, the total budget for Health Research was US$101 million, of which US$3.4 million (3.4) was available for Mental Health Research. The main funding sources for mental health research were found to be the São Paulo State Funding Agency (Fapesp, 53.2%) and the Ministry of Education (CAPES, 30.2%). The rate of doctors is 1.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, and the rate of psychiatrists is 2.7 per 100,000 inhabitants estimated 2000 census. In 2002, there were 53 postgraduate courses directed to mental health training in Brazil (43 in psychology, six in psychiatry, three in psychobiology and one in psychiatric nursing), with 1,775 students being trained in Brazil and 67 overseas. There were nine programs including psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, psychobiology and mental health, seven of them implemented in Southern states. During the five-year period, 186 students got a doctoral degree (37 per year) and 637 articles were published in Institute for Scientic Information (ISI)-indexed journals. The investment channeled towards postgraduate and human resource education programs, by means of grants and other forms of research support, has secured the country a modest but continuous insertion in the international knowledge production in the mental health area.

scholarly journals The Integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Mapping and Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Gray ◽  
Fahmy Hanna ◽  
Lennart Reifels
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Current Implementation ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
Mapping Exercise

The field of disaster and emergency management has shifted in focus towards the goal of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). However, the degree to which the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) field has followed this trend is relatively unknown. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to identify relevant projects, materials, and publications relating to MHPSS and DRR integration and define current domains of action in this integration. A review was conducted using a two-pronged approach for data collection. This approach included 1) a mapping exercise eliciting relevant documentation and project descriptions from MHPSS actors, and 2) a database and internet literature search. The mapping exercise was conducted between January and November 2019, while the literature search was completed in March 2019. The majority of identified materials concerned actions of capacity and systems building; preparedness; policy development, consensus building, and awareness raising; school- and child-focused DRR; inclusive DRR; and resilience promotion. Results also suggested that relatively little consensus exists in terms of formal definitions of and frameworks or guidance for integrating MHPSS and DRR. Moreover, domains of action varied in terms of current implementation practices and empirical evidence. Materials and projects are reviewed and discussed in terms of implications for advancing the integration of DRR and MHPSS and expanding MHPSS approaches to include building better before emergencies.

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