Disaster Psychosocial Response: “What is it Disaster Psychosocial Response: “What is it?” 19th Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference ‘Building on Success’ October 24 – 26, 2006 Heleen Sandvik Provincial Coordinator Ministry of Health Disaster Psychosocial Response Project Vancouver, B.C.
GOALS for today To raise awareness on the: Principles & Objectives of Psychosocial Response Psychological & emotional impacts Psychosocial services Where psychosocial response fits in BC Activation Summary
What is psychosocial response?
No one who sees a disaster is untouched by it! Lessons learned: often state that the psychosocial response was missing…. EXAMPLE: SARS outbreak in Toronto: nurses not taken care of, Hurricane Katrina victims in the dome had various issues of trauma – who was taking care of that What is meant by psychosocial issues?
Objectives and Principles of a Psychosocial Response Primary Objective: to provide an immediate, short-term service that will help disaster or trauma survivors to restore and increase safety, confidence, competence and trust
Secondary Objectives To help people, so they can help themselves To enhance individual and collective resiliency To enhance community recovery To enhance adaptation through ownership, responsibility and action
Principles of Psychosocial Response Safety Resilience Ownership / partnership Cultural context Information/education Collaboration
Normal Reactions to an Abnormal Event Physical Reactions: BP, pulse & respirations Fatigue Nausea, upset, stomach, diarrhea Sweating, chills Tension in shoulders, neck, and back Restlessness Cognitive Reactions: Difficulty concentrating Difficulty making decisions Memory loss Confusion Excessive rumination Emotional Reactions: Strong identification with victims Anger, blaming Sadness, grief, depression, moodiness Apathy& feelings of inadequacy, and vulnerability Suicidal thoughts Behavioural Reactions: withdrawal from family & friends alcohol & drug use hyperactivity, constant talking periods of crying sleep pattern changes
What are Psychosocial services? Worker Care Psychological First Aid Assessment One to one support Crisis Counseling Crisis Line response Psycho-educational sessions Group presentations Development/ distribution of materials Assessment of community needs Consultation
Who provides Psychosocial Services? Some Examples: Salvation Army: personal services Red Cross Mental Health Community Religious groups Employee Assistance Programs Victims Services School counselors Disaster Stress & Trauma Response Services (DSTRS)
DSTRS Access services through: Ministry of Health responsibility Ministry of Health, Health Emergency Management Branch and/or Provincial Coordinator, Disaster Psychosocial Response Project Ministry of Health responsibility +600 registered therapist/clinicians Multiple specialties; i.e. children, trauma Province wide ability to respond willing to volunteer their time in a disaster
Where does it fit in the British Columbia Emergency Response Management System (BCERMS)?
Where Psychosocial fits
Coordination of a Psychosocial Response Why is it important? Assessment to determine what the community psychosocial needs might be Allocating resources based on the needs assessment, what is available and what are the priority needs Ongoing communication with other involved agencies and government systems Avoids gaps in services
Activation of Psychosocial Services How would you activate today? Community plan Provincial Disaster Stress & Trauma Response Service (DSTRS)
Summary Principles & objectives of a Psychosocial Response Psychological & emotional impacts Psychosocial services Where psychosocial response fits in BC Activation