The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the child mental health crisis and existing mental health disparities. Child anxiety, depression, suicide attempts and completions, and mental health-related emergency department visits have significantly increased. In late 2021, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) declared a national state of emergency in children’s mental health. The mental health crisis continues as natural and manmade disasters increase and the demand for mental health clinicians remains at an all-time high. It has become increasingly clear that workforce development in behavioral health disaster preparedness and response is needed.
To address regional and national need, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) funded two Centers of Excellence – Eastern Great Lakes Pediatric Consortium for Disaster Response (EGL-PCDR – now referred to as Region 5 for Kids) and the Western Regional Alliance for Pediatric Emergency Management (WRAP-EM), which launched in 2019. In 2021, The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funded the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN). Both are committed to empowering health care systems to provide high-quality equitable care for children in crisis. I serve as the Co-Chair of the Behavioral Health Committee for the ASPR Region 5 Pediatric Disaster Care Center of Excellence, as well as Behavioral Health Domain Co-lead for the PPN. My role as a psychologist within these multidisciplinary groups is to identify behavioral health needs during all 5 phases of the disaster cycle: mitigation, preparedness, disaster, response, and recovery.
Most clinicians do not consider themselves practicing disaster mental health. As frequency and impact of disasters become more widespread, behavioral health providers can identify how they can use their areas of expertise to increase preparedness and contribute to recovery efforts. The question most often asked of our team is “where do I start?” Summarized below are possible options/resources.
National Child Traumatic Stress Networkopens in new window
Psychological First Aid (NCTSN)opens in new window – An evidence-informed modular approach to help children, adults, and families in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The eight core actions of PFA include contact and engagement, safety and comfort, stabilization, information gathering, practical assistance, connection with social supports, information on coping, and linkage with collaborative services.
Family Readiness Toolkit (AAP) (PDF, 5,100KB)opens in new window – A resource guide to help families become disaster ready.
For additional information on disaster preparedness and response, please refer to EIIC EMSC Innovation and Improvement Centeropens in new window, Pediatric Pandemic Networkopens in new window, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Disaster mental health information for psychologists (APA)opens in new window.