ABSTRACT
The professional mental health model is based on the assumption that event-attributed distress in individuals can be remedied with individual professional treatment. It is also based on the assumption that eventattributed distress affecting whole communities after broader disasters can be remedied with treatment directed to groups. A huge advocacy literature has developed arguing this and outlining how it should be done. In addition, we assume that professional treatment is more effective than nonprofessional or no intervention and that treatments show dose-response relations in which more is better. Finally, we assume that prevention programs can be provided to prevent event-related distress in the future, and we argue for support for our professions to provide these prevention programs.
