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Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series Resource Center
The SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) provides various resources and useful information for those in the disaster behavioral health field.
All resources for which links are provided are in the public domain or have been authorized for noncommercial use. Hardcopies of some materials may be ordered. If you use content from resources in this collection in program materials, you should acknowledge the source of the materials.
Did you know you can download your search results? Simply apply search filters and then click on the Download Filtered Resources link to obtain a .csv file with the resources you have found, including each resource’s name, description, date, URL, and source.
Developed during the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in 2023, this toolkit provides resources to help various audiences cope with the impacts of experiencing or learning information about international conflicts, mass violence and terrorism, crises, trauma, hate crimes, and other violence motivated by prejudice, particularly in light of events in 2023 and 2024 giving rise to Islamophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of discrimination.
Ready is a national campaign designed to educate Americans and help them prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural and human-caused disasters. This section of the Ready website features information and games for children, family preparedness tools for parents and other caregivers, and tools and a curriculum for teachers to make schools safer and educate children and teens about emergency preparedness.
This web page provides a thorough analysis of the trauma-informed care framework and its success in promoting the well-being of individuals with previous trauma. It includes a webinar exploring the do’s and don’ts of using the framework and identifies six guiding principles to properly apply a trauma-informed approach and address changing needs related to identity and culture.
The mission of the center is to build resilient communities by working with faith-based and community organizations. In collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, the center supports the DHS’s strategy of sustainable risk management by building capacity and resiliency among faith-based and community organizations.
This webpage offers information on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG). Through the HMGP, FEMA provides funding to states, U.S territories, and federally recognized tribes, and those entities receive applications for funding from businesses, private nonprofits, and individuals (though individuals are sponsored by local governments and do not apply directly).
This guide explores incidents of violence directed toward places of worship to highlight the importance of holistic incident planning, response, and recovery. It provides incident case studies to promote strategies for implementing effective security and community readiness in faith-based communities.
This guide from New Philanthropy Capital provides a thorough breakdown of trauma-informed approaches and related key terms. Tailored for organizations and charities providing services to children and families with past traumatic experiences, this guide explores the impact of trauma-informed services and identifies next steps for community or organizational leadership interested in this framework.
The CDC earthquake page contains helpful information and resources on earthquake preparedness, surviving during an earthquake, and what happens after an earthquake.
FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) grants provide assistance to government organizations and certain nonprofits following a Presidential disaster declaration. State, territorial, tribal, and local governments are eligible to apply for this type of grant, as are some private nonprofit organizations.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries takes a holistic approach to responding to both natural and human-caused disasters around the world. They supply people and communities in crisis with a network of supporters and tools to move toward further preparedness and personal stability.
NYDIS is a nonprofit organization comprising faith-based service providers and charitable organizations who work to ensure that communities are prepared for disasters and to support disaster response and recovery in New York City. Among its offerings is an online resource collection with tip sheets and materials to support planning and recovery.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Its website features resources for disaster response volunteers and for religious congregations.
The Salvation Army provides several basic disaster services, such as disaster response training, food service, donations management, and recovery. The organization responds to disasters across the United States and around the world.
HHS is the U.S. Government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
A ministry of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR provides disaster relief, disaster response training, supplies, physical and behavioral health support, and other services in the United States and around the world.
This online article introduces the concept of spirituality, explains how spirituality relates to trauma, identifies aspects of trauma most likely to affect spirituality, and suggests ways for spiritual and religious leaders and mental health care practitioners to support people with trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Links to additional information about PTSD are provided.
This website provides links to information on suicide prevention that is tailored for specific settings, such as the workplace, faith communities, schools, colleges and universities, and foster care. Each link goes to a page offering guidance and resources for a specific setting.
Catholic Charities USA provides leadership and resources to help its member agencies respond to disasters in the United States; offers disaster case management services; and collaborates and coordinates with partners including the American Red Cross and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and with local, state, and national government agencies.
Create the Good is a service provided by AARP for matching interested individuals, most of whom are 50 years or older, with volunteer opportunities. It offers some do-it-yourself projects on its website, including Operation Emergency Prepare, which guides people through helping their friends, family, and other loved ones; organizations; and communities in preparing for disasters and other emergencies.
In this online article, the NIA defines hypothermia, a risk for people in snowstorms, ice storms, and other cold winter weather. The booklet explains why older adults may be especially at risk, presents tips for avoiding hypothermia, lists hypothermia warning signs, and identifies sources of additional information and support.
In this resource, AARP, which works to enhance quality of life for older adults, provides guidance for disaster-affected communities to help them rebuild and recover in ways that make them better places to live for people of all ages. AARP points out that the U.S. population is aging and argues for the importance of making communities accessible to and livable for older adults and those of all ages.
This webpage provides information for older adults on how to deal with the stress of extreme heat, which can place them at high risk for health problems. It also provides a link to the symptoms of heat-related illness and a checklist for caretakers to help them protect older adults from heat stress.
In this tip sheet, NDIN provides religious leaders with information on SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline, which offers 24/7 crisis counseling throughout the year for individuals and families experiencing distress because of disasters. NDIN explains who answers the Disaster Distress Helpline, what happens when someone calls or texts the helpline, and what services are available, as well as when the helpline should be used as a referral.