Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
July 25, 2006, Vol. 06-82

SAMHSA News Highlights Hurricane Katrina Lessons, Preparedness Efforts

Lessons from Hurricane Katrina can help current national disaster preparedness efforts for mental health and substance abuse needs, according to the July/August 2006 issue of SAMHSA News, the newsletter of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This latest issue describes research findings, resources, and ongoing recovery efforts for survivors, first responders, State planning officials, service providers, children, and school personnel presented at a recent SAMHSA-funded conference in New Orleans.

Speakers said that although the majority of people exposed to disaster-related trauma are emotionally resilient, many still experience anger, fear, sleep problems, increased alcohol or tobacco use, and social isolation and some may develop long-term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Recent studies on the most commonly used intervention, psychological debriefing -- which encourages the disclosure of emotions and thoughts -- have found no evidence that it provides benefits and in fact, have shown that it may even cause some harm. Another intervention, psychological first aid, -- which focuses on establishing a sense of security, connecting the individual to restorative resources, and reducing stress -- has recently shown greater promise in both short-term and long-term treatments.

Researchers at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center presented findings from their work with 4,000 children from Louisiana in the year since the 2005 Gulf state hurricanes. Screening results showed approximately one-third of the children had symptoms of PTSD and one-third had depressive symptoms.

State planning officials discussed ways to improve "all-hazards" planning that would strengthen collaborative efforts across States, such as establishing a cross-state repository of qualified behavioral health service providers for deployment.

Other newsletter articles provide information on publications detailing practices for reducing seclusion and restraint among people with mental illnesses and detoxification procedures for substance abuse counselors and clinicians treating clients who are dependent on substances of abuse.

The July/August 2006 issue is available online at http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_News. SAMHSA News is published bimonthly in both hardcopy and electronic format. To receive a free subscription, telephone 1 (888) 577-8977 (toll-free) or (240) 221-4001 in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.