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Conference to address disaster response
Published in the Galveston Daily News
06/09/06
Staff Reports
Read the Press Release
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 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.
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 by 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.
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 a.m. to 5
p.m. 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.
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
409-938-2211 or 409-392-0007
kkoopman@gchd.org |
