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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. Nothing in these other than SAMHSA resources constitutes a direct or indirect endorsement by SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of any non-federal entity’s products, services, or policies.
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.
Presented by the President of National Emergency Management and Response, this webinar for state emergency managers covers best practices in case management strategies to support survivors of disasters. Key topics addressed in the webinar include evaluating resource coordination, assessing effectiveness of communication, and monitoring development and enhancement of community resilience.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services created this emergency response plan to guide state officials on an effective response to a pandemic. This plan can be used and adapted by other state and public health officials to prepare their agencies for a pandemic influenza outbreak.
Hosted by the Pacific ADA Center, this webinar details the significance of effective communication in emergency management. The webinar draws from real-life scenarios, specifically from the emergency management field, to define effective communication and describe how emergency managers can build upon their public communication approach.
This web page provides disaster planners and leaders with information and tools for creating a hazard mitigation plan that addresses both the possible impacts of climate crises and the extreme events particular to their local areas. From exploring best practices to learning about current laws and policies, web page resources are designed to help states, territories, and tribal governments build effective mitigation plans.
This free course, offered by FEMA, was developed for staff members working in disaster operations at a FEMA Joint Field Office or other disaster response efforts and areas. It offers ideas for the inclusion of people with disabilities and other access and functional needs in disaster response, both as responders and as members of communities affected by disasters.
At this web page, DHS details First Responder Capability, a program dedicated to providing first responders with technical assistance and inventive solutions to challenges caused by the nature of their jobs. The web page provides information on grants and training, fact sheets, and additional topical research and resources.
This resource collection includes web pages, manuals, guides, technical assistance documents, mobile apps, and training on topics including responding to a radiation emergency, responding to a nuclear detonation, triaging survivors, and managing hazardous materials. Items may be useful both to responders and those who manage responders and response efforts.
This resource from FEMA provides culturally competent and tribal-focused guidance for tribal governments seeking assistance pursuing disaster response and recovery planning. Designed for tribal government leadership and stakeholders, the guide includes steps for designing disaster plans that meet the unique needs of a tribal community.
This web page from FEMA provides information regarding disaster planning and recovery for tribal governments in collaboration with federal and state emergency management agencies. It includes guidance for tribal governments interested in seeking assistance after receiving a disaster declaration, background information on FEMA tribal policies, and tools for pursuing disaster planning, mitigation, and funding assistance.
This web page from the SAMHSA Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center provides resources that American Indian and Alaska Native communities can use to strengthen suicide prevention efforts. It links to a number of fact sheets, toolkits, research articles, and organizations.
The ERHMS™ framework provides ideas for protecting disaster and emergency responders in an emergency of any size and in any setting. Designed for incident command staff members, leaders in response organizations, healthcare professionals, and responders themselves, the framework can be used to develop and implement a plan for monitoring and surveillance of responder health before, during, and after deployment.
Through this center, SAMHSA provides training and technical assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, tribal SAMHSA grantees, and individuals and organizations who work with AI/AN people. Topics include mental health promotion, suicide prevention, and mental and substance use disorders. The center's website provides information and links to print materials, websites, and webinars.
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant provides funds and technical assistance to all 50 states, as well as a wide range of U.S. territories and a tribal entity. Grantees use the funds to plan, implement, and evaluate activities that prevent and treat substance use and promote public health. Although the program is noncompetitive, it runs on a 1-year term, and eligible entities must submit an application annually.
This resource describes evidence-supported strategies for states and communities to use to implement suicide prevention activities and reduce suicide risk. The guide offers an overview of suicide as a preventable public health problem, explains evidence criteria for inclusion in the guide, and details and expands upon each strategy.
This blog post from Equal Justice Works explores opportunities for tribal communities to receive disaster planning and response aid from federal and state agencies. It provides background information regarding the federal recognition of tribal sovereignty and explores legislature and policies tribal communities can benefit from to ensure effective disaster preparedness and recovery.
This web page lists information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, provides a 988 partner toolkit, and includes data on suicide and prevention resources. It also features links to partner organizations and funding resources.
Organized by suicide prevention organizations, Suicide Prevention Now provides a report on a poll reviewing the public's beliefs and attitudes about suicide and mental health. The website provides key messages and tools that people can use to support and communicate about suicide prevention.
This website provides information on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, which it describes as "an approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment to people with substance use disorders and those at risk of developing these disorders."
This web page explores community violence data, including data surrounding youth and vulnerable populations, to highlight the important preventive strategies communities can pursue. It provides community members with resources, including databases and technical guides, to encourage the continued collection of data and strategies for building community resilience.
This report outlines the burden of mental health problems globally, including their impact on substance use disorders. It contains suggestions on how to scale up mental health care in communities as well as resources for prevention.
This two-part recorded webinar explores incidents of criminal mass violence or domestic terrorism at higher education institutions to highlight strategies to best address the needs of victims, families, and the campus community. The training focuses on challenges, resources, and opportunities for higher education institutions to prepare for and respond to mass violence incidents.
This web page presents facts about the effects emergencies may have on mental health. It also describes the types of social and mental health problems survivors may experience and provides guidelines for an effective emergency response.
This guide outlines the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's work in fiscal year (FY) 2023 in areas including communications and awareness, programs, and research. The guide includes links to information and opportunities to engage in awareness activities and trainings.
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.
This resource collection from the Center for Health Care Strategies provides a detailed overview of trauma-informed care, its purpose, and its implementation in healthcare organizations. The collection includes web pages explaining the objectives of trauma-informed frameworks, possible benefits, and examples of different organizations highlighting their efforts and key program features to support trauma-informed principles.