Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105760

Philip T. McCabe, CSW, CAS, Office of Public Health Practice, University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ-School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, Room 110, Piscataway, NJ 08854, 732-235-8229, philip.mccabe@umdnj.edu and Mitchel Rosen, MS, UMDNJ School of Public Health, 683 Hoes Lane West, Office of Public Health Practice, Piscataway, NJ 08854.

The goal of terrorism is fear. Terrorist attacks are intended to cause psychological, social and economic destruction, not simply to hurt or kill those in close proximity to the attack. The tragic loss of live that occurred on September 11, 2001 was devastating to our nation and the world. Most Americans relied on local and national leaders along with personal resilience to maintain stability in their lives. Others experience various levels of grief, loss, stress, anger and depression. Prior to 9/11 few mental health clinicians were appropriately trained in providing services following a national disaster. Public Health Professionals often lack attentiveness to mental health issues, due to demands for safety, security and other high priority concerns. As part of the NJ-Preparedness Training Consortium, UMDNJ-SPH working with the NJ Division of Mental Health Services, Disaster Mental Health Services developed training on the Psychosocial Aspects of Bioterrorism and Disaster Response for Public Health Professionals. The training was designed to help public health and other professionals on the front lines of bioterrorism defense combat the potential adverse psychological effects of performing their functional roles and professional responsibilities in bioterrorism preparedness, response and recovery. This session will address the psychological impact of being a responder, along with how to access mental health resources within the community. Recommendations from the Institute of Medicine will be presented on how Psychological First Aid can be utilized by public health professionals who do not have extensive experience in mental health.

Learning Objectives:

• As a result of this training participants will be able to
• • Identify resources to address mental health concerns in response to a disaster.
• • Reconize incidents of stress, compassion fatigue and “burn out“ among clinicians
• • List components of Psychological First Aid.
• • Describe ways to integrate disaster mental health services into All Hazards Disaster Plans

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation