166943 Substance abuse and mental health issues: Policy, prevention and intervention

Monday, November 5, 2007: 12:30 PM

H. Westley Clark, MD, JD, MPH , SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD
     
While many interventions with respect to violence and disasters focus on the need to intervene to prevent physical illness and injury, substance abuse and mental health issues may be neglected. Addressing these issues in planning and response is critical in disaster situations, as well as situations that involve interpersonal violence. Environmental strategies that decrease the likelihood of developing problems are key prevention actions, and policy that enhances the likelihood of access to both preventive services and intervention and treatment is needed.

Learning Objectives:
Discuss key concepts related to mental health and substance abuse in disaster planning and response; Describe the impact of interpersonal violence on mental health; Identify key public health interventions in the prevention of and intervention for substance abuse and mental health problems in settings of disasters and violence.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: APHA President-elect Session: Mitigating the Impact of Disasters and Violence: Public Health Opportunities and Challenges
See more of: APHA