ABSTRACT
D The Need for Disaster Mental Health Training Over the past two decades, there has been increased awareness of the need for disaster mental health training for emergency services personneL mental health personneL school personneL and caregivers. Previously, disaster training emerged only after a major event had occurred and only as part of programs supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) . In recent years, with the increased interest and awareness of disaster mental health effects, professional associations, the Red Cross, and local mental health departments have provided training programs in disaster mental health, proactively. The training often is provided as part of community-wide disaster preparedness activities, as well as during both the rescue and the recovery phases following an emergency. In many communities, training is required for anyone who wishes to volunteer their services in a disaster response.
