Disaster Behavioral Health Initiative

Jim Siemianowski, 860-418-6810, james.siemianowski@ct.gov

The Connecticut Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Children and Families (DCF), working with the University of Connecticut Health Center at the Center for Trauma Response, Recovery, and Preparedness (CTRP), have developed an organized network of behavioral health providers to respond to the mental health needs of Connecticut residents following major disasters (e.g., bioterrorism, man-made or natural disasters). The Connecticut Disaster Behavioral Health Response Network (DBHRN) consists of five regional behavioral health disaster response teams that can be deployed immediately anywhere in the state. The geographical areas covered by the teams correspond to the OPM Uniform Health Regions. These teams would respond to disasters or critical incidents when local behavioral health resources have been depleted or are overwhelmed. The goal of the regional behavioral health response teams is to provide an organized response to victims, family members, survivors, or communities affected by disasters.

• Assistance to Connecticut Communities During Disasters

• Disaster Behavioral Health: Assisting People Exposed to Radiation Participant Manual

• Disaster Mental Health: Assisting People Exposed to Radiation Presentation

• Safety Planning Information For Neighbors of Millstone Power Station

• Radiological Emergency Response Plan, Video of Host Community Reception Center Exercise, New Haven, CT

• New Haven Host Community FEMA Evaluated Exercise for the State Radiological Emergency Response Plan (6.25.15)                   

  Related Links:

• Disaster Technical Assistance Center

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network

• John Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness: Mental Health Preparedness

• State of CT Department of Children and Families

• State of CT Department of Public Health

• The Connecticut Clearinghouse

• 2-1-1 United Way of Connecticut

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