Natural Disasters Search The Internet For A Natural Disaster
Natural Disasterssearch The Internet For A Natural Disaster Preparedne
Natural Disasterssearch The Internet For A Natural Disaster Preparedness plan for any state, region, or health care system. In reviewing the plan, select one feature of the plan that corresponds to one of the six determinants of health (biological, psychological, environmental, sociocultural, behavioral, health system) and present a summary to the class. Please be sure to include your article or emergency plan to the class as an attachment for review. Minimum word count:
2. Biological
3. Psychological
4. Environmental
5. Sociocultural
6. Behavioral
7. Health System
Must include at least 2 references. Must be in APA.
Paper For Above instruction
Natural disasters pose significant threats to communities worldwide, necessitating comprehensive preparedness plans to mitigate their impact. These plans typically encompass various strategies to address the physical, mental, social, and systemic challenges that arise during such emergencies. In this paper, I review a preparedness plan from the State of California, a region frequently affected by earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. The selected feature of this plan relates to the "psychological" determinant of health, emphasizing mental health support and resilience among affected populations.
The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal OES) provides an extensive disaster response plan that includes provisions for psychological well-being. One notable feature is the deployment of mental health teams to disaster sites, offering counseling and psychological first aid to survivors. This approach recognizes the profound mental health impacts caused by disasters, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression (Eisenman et al., 2008). The plan advocates for early psychological interventions to prevent long-term mental health issues and facilitate community recovery.
This feature aligns closely with the psychological determinant of health, which emphasizes the importance of mental well-being in overall health outcomes (World Health Organization [WHO], 2008). Disasters often induce acute stress reactions, compounded by loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. The plan's emphasis on psychological support aims to address these issues proactively, promoting resilience and emotional stability. By integrating mental health services into emergency response protocols, the plan recognizes that mental health is as vital as physical safety and infrastructural integrity.
The mental health component of the plan includes training first responders in psychological first aid, establishing hotlines for crisis intervention, and creating community outreach programs. These initiatives serve to reduce stigma associated with mental health, encourage affected individuals to seek help, and foster supportive community networks. The proactive approach helps mitigate the long-term psychological scars that can hinder recovery and community rebuilding efforts.
In conclusion, the California disaster preparedness plan’s feature of deploying mental health teams exemplifies how addressing the psychological determinant of health enhances overall disaster resilience. Recognizing mental health as a core element of emergency response underscores the need for integrated strategies that promote healing and community strength post-disaster. Ensuring psychological support is accessible and effective is crucial for comprehensive disaster preparedness.
References
Eisenman, D. P., Cordasco, K. M., Asch, S., McGovern, T., & Castillo, H. (2008). Disaster mental health services for children and families after a wildfire: Lessons learned from a community response. Psychiatric Services, 59(9), 992–998. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.59.9.992
World Health Organization. (2008). Mental health and resilience in disaster scenarios. WHO Press.