Disaster Behavioral Health Project

The goal of the Disaster Behavioral Health Project is to develop human infrastructure in Nebraska to effectively mitigate or respond to the psycho-social consequences of terrorism and disaster. Stakeholders across the State in many disciplines are involved in this project. Community groups, faith groups, public and private entities and key responders like the American Red Cross, Nebraska’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and Nebraska State Agencies are all collaborating with the Public Policy Center in this endeavor.

The project began in 2003 when the Public Policy Center partnered with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and other stakeholders to create an All-Hazards Disaster Behavioral Health Plan for the State of Nebraska. Ongoing work under this planning initiative includes fostering links between mental health/substance abuse resources and public health systems, health care networks, emergency management, and first responder groups.

The Public Policy Center, in cooperation with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, created a curriculum in “Psychological First Aid” to prepare school personnel, health care professionals, faith leaders, and mental health clinicians for their role as disaster behavioral health responders. The project focus on workforce development has also resulted in advanced training for mental health professionals in “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Post-Disaster Stress.” Other project activities include:

• Conducting periodic surveys
• Coordinating activities of a cadre of risk communication professionals,
• Developing infrastructure to support a state behavioral health emergency response team
• Assisting state bioterrorism planners to integrate behavioral health in their all-hazards planning initiatives
• Providing technical assistance to Regional Behavioral Health Authorities as they plan and prepare the workforce in their areas to respond to disasters
• Preparing Federal Emergency Management Crisis Counseling Program grants on behalf of the state of Nebraska and subsequently provide program oversight and evaluation for funded projects

To learn more about how Nebraska is building on the strengths of its human resources to create a coordinated mental health response to disaster/terrorism, see our website: http://www.disastermh.nebraska.edu.