ABSTRACT
Recently, increased numbers of environmental hazards and subsequent disasters have occurred. We review recent disaster mental health literature and find that, globally, there is a lack of mental health preparedness. In studies from many nations, the primary mental health symptoms accompanying disasters are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Proactive micro and macro interventions and other novel approaches are described. Roudini et al. found that the availability of mental health services and social capital reduces stress and anxiety. Preventative mental health interventions foster community disaster resilience. Effective treatments for trauma survivors are cognitive processing therapy and psychological first aid. Resilience and vulnerability-plus theories are the theoretical foundations for disaster mental health interventions. Vulnerable populations in disasters include women and girls, lower socioeconomic status populations, older persons, and those with pre-disaster mental health problems. Mental health professionals working in a disaster often suffer vicarious trauma. We review emerging issues, including repeated disaster exposure. Needed research on disaster mental health includes studying intersectional trauma and health anxiety and developing improved methodology.
