Disaster Mental Health

1076 Words3 Pages

DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH

Based on the scenario, local law enforcement agencies would already be aware of the situation. The Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has been mobilized. The obvious supposition would be that the incident commander has already notified the Arkansas State Department of Emergency Management, specifically Anthony Coy, and the Northwest Arkansas Area Coordinator that encompasses Craighead County, at (870) 935-3094, which is located at 511 Union, Room 010, Jonesboro, AR 72401.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state equilivilant of the United States Homeland Security and Preparedness Agency. The ADEM coordinates the resources, activities and proficiencies to prevent and protect against disasters, alleviate the impact of disasters by responding to events and promote the recovery from events as well as working to impede possible future risks to the security of the state and its inhabitants and inhibit the impact of prospective events. (Arkansas.gov, 2014) The State of Arkansas’ Emergency Operations Center (SECO) is located at ADEM.

SECO is a compendium of envoys from various other state agencies. Incorporating both of these vital agencies in one location provides for greater efficiency in the event of a disaster or crisis event and improves the ability for a rapid response. (Arkansas.gov, 2014)

Necessary Behavioral Mental Health intervention does not end at the point first responders have successfully contained the actual crisis. The ongoing need for Behavioral Mental Health services will continue for an extended length of time when a traumatic event such as that depicted in the scenario occur. A copious number of individuals will have ...

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...teer Medical Reserve Corps: https://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/MrcUnits/UnitDetails/458

ACERT Home Page. (2014, Accesssed April 27). Retrieved from Arkansas Crisis Response Team: http://www.arcrt.org/Home.asp

Arkansas.gov. (2014). Retrieved from Arkansas Department of Emergency Management: http://www.adem.arkansas.gov/ADEM/index.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

http://www.redcross.org/arkansas/programs. (2014, Accessed April 27). Retrieved from American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/arkansas/programs

NASMHPD. (2014, Accessed April 27). Retrieved from NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM DIRECTORS: http://www.nasmhpd.org/About/AOMultiStateDisaster.aspx

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