This tip sheet describes grief and the grieving process, both of which are often associated with disasters. It suggests ways to support survivors, as well as highlighting signs of complicated or traumatic grief or other grief that may require professional mental health care.

Offered through the website Coursera, this 7-hour course introduces students to the RAPID model of Psychological First Aid (Reflective Listening, Assessment of Needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition). While students must pay to receive a certificate of course completion, they can take the course free of charge without receiving a certificate (though site registration is required).

This tip sheet provides guidance on communicating with the media for responders serving communities affected by disasters that involved the death of many people. The tip sheet emphasizes the importance of preparation and of identifying a set number of people who will provide information to the media. It also offers tips specifically for media interviews.

This tip sheet describes how people with serious mental illness may experience and respond to disasters. It identifies ways in which people with serious mental illness are more vulnerable than others in disasters and problems they may face. It also offers tips for disaster planners and responders for helping people with serious mental illness and their families with disaster planning and in the aftermath of a disaster.

At this web page, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies presents a range of resources for learning about and coping with stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A section for healthcare workers, a key group of first responders in the pandemic, features webinars, tip sheets, and articles on topics including coping with pandemic-related stress, self-care, and strategies for resilience.

This brochure describes trauma that children and adolescents may experience, including trauma associated with natural and human-caused disasters. It indicates how children and adolescents may respond to trauma and how rescue workers can help children and adults cope with stressors and trauma, and it identifies sources of additional information and support.

This toolkit describes acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder and the risk factors associated with trauma. It also describes interventions that can be used in times of crisis. Near the end of the toolkit is a list of related resources.

This pamphlet provides a brief explanation of Psychological First Aid for first responders and disaster responders. It highlights do’s and don’ts for working with disaster-affected individuals and communities and supporting survivors who are experiencing strong emotions.

This web page explains the mental health and substance use-related impacts individuals may experience after a traumatic event, such as a disaster, and provides a list of possible physical, emotional, and mental reactions for adults and children. The resource recommends coping tips and provides resources and contact information for services available to individuals in need of further support.