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County
Partners Prepare for Mental Health Disaster Response
La Marque– The
Galveston County Health District and local collaborators will be conducting a
conference to evaluate the role of mental health and pastoral services in
responding to disasters. “Calming the
Waters” will take place at UMTB’s Levin Hall on June 9th
from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Sponsors of the conference include the American Red Cross Galveston Unit; Devereux Texas Treatment System
Network; the Gulf Coast Center; the Galveston County Health
District; Galveston Family Services Center; Texas A&M University Galveston; and
the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Dr. Mark Guidry, Galveston County Health District CEO says, “Public Health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks
and natural disasters, bring not only injury and death, but also the human
impact of fear, panic, grief, and loss experienced by victims, loved ones, and
dedicated public response workers. In the public system of emergency response,
we must be prepared for all public consequences, including mental health.”
Attendees will have the
opportunity to hear presentations and participate in facilitated panel
discussions in an effort to formulate an appropriate response to a possible
disaster in the county. Planners will also lead participants through a tabletop
exercise to identify gaps in resources and training. Cost of the conference is
$25 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
According to the District’s
Public Health Planner Brian Rutherford, “Emergency response workers,
such as mental health professionals and pastoral care counselors can play a
vital role in a public health emergency. The key will be to coordinate the
resources we have to provide the best care possible for Galveston County
residents.” Planners stress that an
adequate response to any public health emergency will require great
coordination. It is expected that bringing specific groups such as city and
county emergency responders, mental health professionals, Red Cross disaster
counselors, and area pastoral counselors together at one table they can make
strides in meeting the demands people may face during an emergency.
Galveston
County mental health care providers need to know and practice regional disaster
preparedness and coordination in order to be prepared for a mental health
threat,” states Doug Matthews, Director of External Affairs at UTMB and a
conference participant. “Only through education, practice and collaboration can
we be prepared for disasters.”
The Keynote speaker for the
event will be Dr. King Davis, Professor and the Robert Lee Sutherland Chair in
Mental Health and Social Policy at the University of Texas Austin. Dr. King is also
Director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.
In conjunction with the conference, the American Red Cross will be hosting their Foundations of Disaster
Mental Health class on June 10th, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the
Texas A&M University campus in Galveston. The goal is to train additional
mental health professionals to be able to provide mental health services to
individuals staying in shelters following a disaster in Galveston County. Cost
of the Red Cross training is $15 and includes lunch.
To register or get more information about each of these events go to
www.gchd.org/bt/btindex.htm or call (409) 938-2222.
Printed in the Galveston Daily
News 06/09/06
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
409-938-2211 or 409-392-0007
kkoopman@gchd.org |
