The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services training
is to prepare licensed mental health professionals to
provide for and respond to the psychological needs of
people across the continuum of disaster preparedness,
response and recovery.
Participants in this course will be licensed mental health
professionals who are considering becoming involved in
Red Cross disaster mental health preparedness, response
and recovery activities at their local chapter and on
national disaster relief operations.
Although taking the new course is not required if Disaster
Mental Health Services I (ARC 3077-1)] has been completed,
it is strongly recommended, as the new course incorporates
substantive changes that have occurred in disaster relief
operation management and within the Disaster Mental Health
Activity. These changes include the new positions in the
DSHR system and the newly defined tasks of mental health
volunteers. The course addresses the various psychological
interventions used by Red Cross disaster mental health
workers and with those we no longer use, such as a debriefing.
Also, it will address the legal and ethical issues that
arise for mental health workers within a disaster setting.
The new course will prepare disaster mental health volunteers
to be more efficient and successful in benefiting those
they serve.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
Required:
Be a mental health professional with a current state
license, to include:
- Counselor
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- A registered nurse (RN) with psychiatric nursing experience
and training beyond the normal rotation required for
a RN.
- Social Worker
