The sky is falling: Planning strategies for communities facing trauma after disaster strikes

Abstract

The prevalence of natural disasters and the negative impacts they have on the mental health of survivors is increasing and for coastal British Columbia natural disasters are inevitable. Research shows local governments lack a standardized strategy utilizing best practice in mental health supports to reduce disaster impacts. Best practices include collaborative, inter-agency programs designed to boost resilience through social infrastructure, early intervention and screening, and community-based programs highlighting capacity and strengths. This major project explores current gaps in planning for mental health supports post-disaster, and proposes a standardized method for local governments to boost efficiency. The outcome of this research includes a template for local governments to plan ahead for disaster psychosocial response to mitigate psychological harm.