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

Abstract #107424

Sarah J. Powell, MA¹, Sheryl B. Ruzek, PhD, MPH², Sarah Bauerle Bass, PhD, MPH³, Thomas Gordon, PhD¹, Brenda F. Seals, PhD, MPH⁴, and Jay Segal, PhD¹. (1) Public Health Department, Temple University, 304 Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, 1700 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, 215-204-9693, sjpowell@temple.edu, (2) Department of Health Studies, Temple University, 304 Vivacqua Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122, (3) Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304 Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122, (4) MPH Program, Practice and Research Coordinator, Department of Public Health, Temple University, 301-F Vivacqua Hall, 1700 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122

The states most directly affected by the events of September 11, 2001 —New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania—have been working hard to mitigate the negative effects of disaster-related trauma on the population. However, even in assessments of state preparedness, such as the Robert Wood Johnson Trust for America's Health (TFAH)1 national study, mental health preparedness remains unaddressed. This comparative study aims to fill the gap in existing literature on mental health preparedness by examining state emergency/disaster plans, policies, procedures, organizational structures, implicit and explicit communication assumptions, chain of command models, and emerging ‘best practices' for the four states directly affected by 9/11. By using a three tiered approach to examine nominal and actual state plans both before and after revision, and by conducting qualitative research at both local and state levels, this study provides a comparative analysis of key features of plans, assesses needs for clarification and elaboration, and lessons learned from those who have been on the front lines of mental health emergency/disaster response. With growing debates about some forms of trauma interventions and existing protocols, this study provides an empirical basis for identifying the actual practices in model programs for mental health preparedness that may be useful as a point of comparison with all states.

1. Trust for America's Health. Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health in the Age of Bioterrorism. Biosecurity & Bioterrorism 2 (1): 47-50, 2004

Learning Objectives:

• • Recognize the importance of effective mental health planning and informed risk communication in emergency/disaster response.
• • Identify model practices for state of the art mental health emergency/disaster response.
• • Assess the usefulness of lessons learned from the four states most affected by the events of 9/11for planning mental health strategies to engage the public, mitigate fear and anxiety, and prevent the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms.

Keywords: Mental Health, Policy/Policy Development

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