The concept of disasters in providing mental health assistance when there has been a traumatic and devastating event. One of the concepts according to (Everly & Mitchell, 2008) would be psychological reactions to disaster may cause serious psychological impairment. In an over all study according to Norris et al . (2002) There was a study of severity of impairment of 60,000 disaster victims between 1981 and 2001. The sample studies showed 11% had minimal impairment, indicative of transient stress; 51% had moderate impairment, indicative of prolonged stress; 21% had severe impairment. There was significant psychopathology or distress; and 18% had severe impairment. PTSD, MDD, GAD and PD were found and considered specific psychological problems …show more content…
The second concept, mental health staff needs to set aside traditional methods, avoid the use of mental health labels and use an active outreach approach to intervention. During the time of a disaster crisis the mental health staff very rarely offer services in the their offices, they are often in the field to support the victims of disaster crisis. The first priority following a disaster is attending to basic need, such as safety, security, communication and attention to injuries and medical needs, educating the survivors and families about effective coping strategies (Anthony K.K. Tong. Ed.D. ). The third concept, support systems are crucial to recovery. Victims of disaster and crisis that have little or no support from family and friends depend on support groups. Scanlom-Schlipp and Levesque (1981) point out that support group help to counter isolation. (Myers & Wee) 2005. People that have been through the same kind of crisis, disaster or emergencies feel tat they can relate to one another (Scanlom-Schlipp and Levesque