Spring flooding 2008
As Missourians strive to cope with the vast flooding that is occurring, many of you are responding with open arms and hearts to those impacted. Whether you are surviving the flooding in your home or business or whether you are one of the hundreds of first responders who are assisting, the ramifications of the losses both personally and economically may impact you emotionally. There could be a broad range of early reactions such as physical, behavioral, psychological, cognitive and spiritual. No one who is affected by a disaster remains untouched. Disasters can cause changes in us that are fairly common after such events, but can be scary if we do not understand that others including our children are experiencing the same kinds of reactions.
Please page down to "Coping with Disaster" Fact Sheets, they may help you understand some of the reactions that are common after disaster situations and share some positive ways to cope through these reactions. This information will assist you as a survivor or as a responder who has been very involved in assisting survivors. There are coping facts for all ages and things that you can do to assist yourselves and others as you attempt to cope with the losses.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the impact of the floods and need immediate crisis assistance, call the DMH Access Crisis Line (ACI). The following web address will link you to the phone number for your county:
http://www.dmh.mo.gov/cps/ACImap.htm
Disaster Readiness
Office of Disaster Readiness
The Department of Mental Health (DMH), Office of Disaster Readiness (ODR) conducts planning and development activities to support a coordinated mental health response for Missourians in disaster situations.
To strengthen the Department’s capacity to respond to the mental health needs of Missouri citizens the Office of Disaster Readiness coordinates efforts with numerous state agencies including, Homeland Security, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Funding for ODR is currently through a partnership with the DHSS using Federal Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) funding to provide the behavioral health components needed in comprehensive planning. The Office of Disaster Readiness also develops and administers the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program grant when there is a federal declaration in Missouri.
The Office offers preparedness training in psychological first aid to health and mental health care providers, school personnel, community-based volunteer organizations, emergency responders, law enforcement personnel, mental health consumers, and the faith-based community. It also develops informational fact sheets about the emotional impact of disasters on different populations and common reactions to disaster.
The Office of Disaster Readiness is involved in ongoing initiatives such as developing and updating the Special Needs Annex of SEMA’s State Emergency Operations Plan, and Pandemic Flu planning.
Disaster communications and accurate information for the public in times of disaster is critical in helping a community heal and recover. The Office of Disaster Readiness, in partnership with the Department of Health and Senior Services, developed the Disaster Communications Guidebook with mental health talking points to be used with various audiences during a disaster.
You will find links below for the following: The State Mental Health All-Hazards Emergency Operations Plan, the Disaster Communications Guidebook, fact sheets and other psychological first aid materials.
For more informaton call: (573) 751-3070 and ask for the Office of Disaster Readiness or email: jenny.wiley@dmh.mo.gov
Coping with Disaster Fact Sheets
If you have Weathered the Floods, this information may help you 
Office of Disaster Readiness Newsletter
Advance Notice April 08 Vol 1 No 4
Advance Notice March 08 Vol 1 No 3
All Hazards Emergency Operations Plan
Disaster Mental Health Competencies
Related knowledge and skills for Mental Health Professionals, Health-Care Professionals, and Para-professionals responding to disasters.
FEMA Crisis Counseling Program Grant Application
Psychological First Aid--Field Operations Guide (2nd Edition)
FACT SHEETS/RESOURCES
Information for College Students and Their Families
Guidelines to Help Students, Parents and Educators
Respond & Cope
CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News April 20, 2007, Vol. 07-69
SAMHSA Launches Web Resources to Assist in Post-Virginia Tech Tragedy
SAMHSA is making available several web-based resources to assist in
the aftermath of the tragic shootings at Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University:
+ Understanding Mental Illness - After the Virginia Tech Tragedy
(www.samhsa.gov/MentalHealth/understanding_Mentalllness.aspx) -
a collection of resources and informational materials to build better
public understanding about mental health problems. This includes fact
sheets on the facts and myths of mental illnesses - including issues
of violence, information on SAMHSA's National Anti-Stigma Campaign
targeting young adults with the theme of "What a Difference a Friend
Makes", real stories of people in recovery from mental illnesses,
training materials to develop mentally healthy schools, and much more.
+ Coping with Traumatic Events (www.samhsa.gov/trauma/index.aspx) - a series of resources on how
to respond to a traumatic event including materials for responders/
/health professionals, students, schools, adults and families.
Booklist for Children Affected by Hurricane Katrina
Disaster/Terrorism Mental Health and Stress Related Links
Farm Stress Coping Tips with Winter Storm
Pandemic Flu Behavioral Health
RISK COMMUNICATION
Disaster Communications Guidebook:Promoting Emotional Well-Being When Preparing for Disasters (Please note: The finished size of this booklet is 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches and was prepared in booklet format. For easer access to its contents, we suggest that you print out the booklet and use it in a hard-copy form.)
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Mental Health and Disasters: A Basic Approach for Healthcare Responders
Mental Health and Disasters: A Basic Approach for Pastoral Care and the Faith Community Workshop
Mental Health and Disasters: A Basic Approach to School Personnel
WORKSHOP POWERPOINTS
The Psychological Impact of Trauma on Responders (Microsoft Powerpoint document)
Children in Disasters (Microsoft Powerpoint document)
Responding to Children with Special Considerations (Microsoft Powerpoint document)
