Disaster Behavioral Health Resources in the Commonwealth Phil Miskovic Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Understand audience: --Local --State --Private --Know what DBH is --Include DBH in plans --Established relationships and partnerships with local DBH providers

What are Disaster Behavioral Health (DBH) Services? 636,120 The mitigation of emotional, psychological, and physical effects of a disaster, natural or man-made, impacting survivors and responders Examples: Physical needs (water, food) Social support (lend an ear, solve issues) Referrals --Does anyone know the significance of 636,120? --Who knows what the DSM-5 is? (classification of mental health disorders used by MH professionals) --According to the DSM-5, there are 636,120 in which a patient can present with PTSD --DBH services are services that contribute to the mitigation of emotional, psychological, and physical effects of a disaster, natural or man-made, impacting survivors and responders --Examples include physical needs like water or food --one study suggests that drinking water can reduce the risk of PTSD by a significant percent (car story) --Social support—survivors need someone to talk to, help solve logistics issues Individual in shelter, just lost home, thrown into a new situation, ambiguity leads to frustration. . .helping to mitigate that frustration --Observing for possible referral to behavioral health providers

Why is this Important?

--Every disaster, whether natural or manmade, has victims, both direct and vicarious --Victims are impacted in a variety of ways --(VT as example. . .everyone in Virginia had some sort of a VT connection) --Media --Disruption to class --The degree to which someone is impacted strictly individualized --We can’t know how an event will impact the way a person recovers emotionally; but we can provide the resources to help mitigate the impact

--Don’t forget about first responders --Dallas --VT

What You Can Do Acknowledge the need Include DBH services in your plan Establish partnerships with CSBs and private providers Include DBH services in exercises --Acknowledge the need --You are a self-selected group. . .could be down the hall learning about VDEM grants or legal concerns --Small, rural county --”Old school,” suck it up mentality --Include DBH services in your plan, whether as an annex or integrated throughout --Establish partnerships with CSBs and private providers --Include DBH services in exercises

State-level Resources Available Disaster Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (DBHAC) VA VOAD Crisis Counseling Program Grant (federal) Samhsa.gov/dtac Supplemental guidance Webinars and podcasts Trainings --DBHAC --The purpose of DBHAC is to be a multi-disciplinary group to serve as a resource for Virginia emergency support agencies to assist with the incorporation of Disaster Behavioral Health into plans, response, and recovery.  --Inter-agency coordination --Planning --The CCP is a short-term disaster relief grant for states, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribes. CCP grants are awarded after a presidential disaster declaration. CCP funding supports community-based outreach, counseling, and other mental health services to survivors of natural and human-caused disasters. --The ISP funds immediate, short-term disaster relief and crisis counseling services --The Regular Services Program (RSP) provides funding for ongoing counseling services and support. Applicants must show a continuing need for services when applying for the RSP. --Samhsa.gov/dtac Supplemental guidance Webinars and podcasts Trainings