Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series Resource Center

This tip sheet lists reactions to stress that are common among children and that caregivers, parents, and teachers may see during and after an infectious disease outbreak. It also suggests ways that adults can help children manage stress.

The AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization and, according to the SAMHSA-Health Resources and Services Administration Center for Integrated Health Solutions, correctly identifies 95 percent of individuals as having, or not having, alcohol use disorder (https://www.integration.samhsa.gov/clinical-practice/screening-tools). The 10-item AUDIT is intended to be administered by a health professional or paraprofessional.

This toolkit helps service providers for the aging learn more about mental illness and substance use disorders in older adults, including focus on alcohol and medication use. It provides tools such as a program coordinator’s guide, suggested curricula, and handouts.

This issue of The Dialogue, SAMHSA DTAC’s quarterly newsletter, features articles about the response to Ebola in Africa, including measures taken to support responders during and after their work. It also covers the experience of a provider who helped with part of the response to Ebola in Dallas, Texas, when he and others were challenged with supporting the quarantine of an individual who had been exposed to Ebola and was homeless.

This guide was developed to assist institutions of higher education in creating and updating emergency plans that are responsive to active shooter situations, as well as natural disasters. This resource was jointly developed by the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services so that campus communities can align their emergency planning practices with those at the national, state, and local levels.

This tip sheet describes common reactions to disasters and other traumatic events and identifies ways to manage stress. It also lists sources of additional information and support.

This tip sheet for parents and other caregivers and teachers explains how to help children cope with the emotional aftermath of a disaster and includes information on common reactions according to developmental stage.

This guide provides information about drought as it affects the health of the U.S. public. Behavioral health-related information is discussed in various sections of this document, particularly beginning on page 27.

According to this document, it is designed to "outline[s] the essential issues that jurisdictions should consider when developing plans to provide pet-friendly sheltering for people before, during, or after an emergency that requires a large-scale evacuation."

ASIST is a 2-day training program that teaches participants how to assist those at risk for Suicidal Thinking, Behavior, Attempts. Although many healthcare professionals use ASIST, anyone 16 years or older can use the approach, regardless of professional background. ASIST workshops cost money to attend, with cost varying by training site.

Educators and school personnel can use this guide to determine how well their school is prepared to respond to the immediate and long-term psychological effects of a crisis or disaster on students, their families, and staff. It offers many practical suggestions for developing procedures and plans for mitigation, prevention, preparation, response, and recovery.

This guide provides information to help schools respond effectively to a range of school crises and disasters that affect school communities. The links provided offer strategies to potentially prevent violent school-based tragedies, identify students who may be at greatest risk of violent behavior, and address the emergent needs of students during times of crisis.

This 26-page booklet is for parents and other adults to help children who have suffered the loss of a parent or loved one to get through their grief. Topics covered include explaining death to children, common child responses to death, helping children cope over time, and finding additional support for children. [Authors: Schonfeld, D. J., and Quackenbush, M.]

This document informs parents of common child reactions to earthquakes and provides tips on supporting children after an earthquake.

This handout uses the acronym SAFETY to outline practical ways in which parents can help young children cope with the emotional impact of a hurricane.