| Disasters are not uncommon events, and take
many forms. Ranging from house fires to hurricanes and floods,
and from plane crashes to the events of September 11th, 2001,
and other acts of terror, disasters can rob us of our loved
ones, our possessions, and our sense of well-being. Disasters
can forever change life as we knew it, and seriously impact
our ability to function. The mental health community recognizes
that advance preparation, early intervention, and unique follow
up techniques can assist those whose lives are touched by
disaster.
The Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY
New Paltz was founded in 2004 to prepare students, community
members, paraprofessionals, and professionals in the helping
fields to care for others following a disaster via evidence-based
disaster mental health interventions, content, and skills.
IDMH programs include training and consulting in disaster
mental health students, professionals, paraprofessionals, and community members; and an annual conference, “Helping in a Time of Crisis.”
IDMH also supports a SUNY New Paltz interdisciplinary undergraduate minor in disaster studies. The minor focuses on events of natural, technological and human-induced origin and on how these affect individuals, communities, organizations, and the nation. It is designed to recognize the multi-disciplinary nature of both research and practice in disaster studies. Courses highlight scholarship and practice related to disaster and trauma mitigation and prevention, response, support, recovery, treatment, and policy formulation and planning, as well as the implications of these events at the individual, group, organizational and community level. Those completing the minor will become certified responders for the American Red Cross. Interested students can download the course descriptions* and the minor form*. The Institute also provides training Disaster Mental Health to advanced counseling interns and professionals in the mental health field to prepare them for interventions in response to emergency and disaster.
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