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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.
Provided by the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, this web page gives an overview of the effects droughts may have. It lists the signs of emotional distress related to drought and who may be most at risk of experiencing them. Lastly, it provides resources and information on where to get help.
This resource is a map released each week showing levels of drought across the country, as well as areas that are abnormally dry and may be entering or emerging from drought. The Drought Monitor website includes current and past maps, data visualizations, the weekly summary of drought conditions across the nation, and forecast and outlook information.
Individuals and families can use this web page to prepare themselves and their homes for a drought. It provides tips for conserving indoor and outdoor water before and during a drought, as well as links to related resources and organizations.
This article on the website of the National Center for PTSD discusses telemental health for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including individuals living in rural areas. It also analyzes the pros and cons of telemental health for patients with PTSD.
The NDMC helps people and institutions develop and implement measures to reduce societal vulnerability to drought, stressing preparedness and risk management rather than crisis management. Their website includes a section to help children better understand drought.
This toolkit is designed for organizations that would like to implement mental health programs in rural areas. It contains seven modules that focus on developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining rural mental health programs.
This fact sheet provides information on disasters, including the phases in which individuals and communities experience disasters, and the effects of disasters on families. It features a list of resources to help families cope with disasters and their aftermath.
This course assists rural communities with planning for and executing disaster recovery efforts. The course covers case studies of communities and their challenges and successes. The web page includes links to upcoming dates and locations where the course will be held, and to request delivery of the course in your community.
This section of the Farmers.gov website provides information about the different types of disaster assistance and recovery programs available for farmers. Information is presented on disaster assistance programs related to preparing for and recovering from damage and loss of crops, livestock, and property.
This web page gives an overview of the unique stressors that may affect rural communities. It also provides resources on topics to help individuals with financial pressures, workforce development, and personal stress management.
This web page provides information and resources for disaster planners to aid them in preparing rural communities for disasters. Topics include critical access hospitals, training and education, guidance, planning tools, and lessons learned.
Developed after tornadoes in 2017 in Van Zandt County in Texas, this toolkit presents steps and strategies for preparing for and responding to disasters in rural communities. Topics include setting up a long-term recovery group, conducting an immediate needs assessment, running a case management program, and managing volunteers.
This fact sheet offers suggestions on how to respond to a financial crisis following a disaster. It suggests ways to cope with financial stress and describes strategies to improve the situation. Resources applicable to agricultural crises are included.
The Farm Crisis Center is a part of the National Farmers Union and serves as a resource hub for farmers and individuals living in rural communities. Resources include hotlines for individuals experiencing stress, disaster resources, and disaster assistance programs.
This web page provides information for farmers and families of farmers to help them recognize signs of stress. It also lists resources for coping with stress and depression and preventing suicide.
This web page offers general drought information, including several ways to define drought. It also describes water restrictions and presents measures people can take indoors and outdoors to conserve water.
Public health professionals can use this guide to aid their efforts in preparing for a drought. The guide includes five modules covering topics such as conducting a vulnerability assessment, communicating drought preparedness and response strategies, and finding funding for preparedness and response efforts.
This website outlines ways in which drought can affect the mental health of communities. It also includes links to resources to help people cope with the psychological effects of drought.
As part of HRSA, the Office of Rural Health Policy promotes better health services for rural Americans. The website contains information about funding opportunities, policy, programs, and research.
This online resource provides access to research and findings of the nine Rural Health Research Centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Office of Rural Health Policy. Products available through the site include policy briefs, fact sheets, and journal articles, as well as recaps of rural health research and resource collections on topics including rural emergency preparedness and response.
This web page links to several resources to help individuals and families deal with flooding events. These resources provide tips for preparing homes for floods and staying safe during and after floods.
This web page provides information on the unique challenges disasters can pose in rural communities. It also answers frequently asked questions about emergency preparedness and response.
This web page provides statistics and information on the need for mental health services in rural America. It also gives an overview of the challenges of providing mental health services in rural communities, including accessibility, availability, and acceptability of services.
This tip sheet from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach notes that farming is one of the most stressful occupations and also that farmers typically love their work and have likely found ways to manage job-related stress. The tip sheet identifies common sources of stress for farmers, symptoms of stress, and ways to manage stress.
This guide discusses barriers and challenges to accessing substance use disorder and mental health treatment services in rural communities. It also gives information on implementing telehealth as a method to increase access to services and the benefits of telehealth.