This field manual provides specific and practical suggestions for mental health workers and other human service providers who assist survivors following a disaster.

Topics addressed in this guide include:

• Introduction
• Key concepts of disaster mental health
• Survivors' needs and reactions
• Disaster counseling skills
  • Establishing rapport
  • Active listening
  • Some dos and don'ts
  • Problem solving
  • A word of caution
  • Confidentiality
• When to refer for mental health services
• Potential risk groups
  • Age groups
  • Cultural and ethnic groups
  • People with serious and persistent mental illness
  • People in group facilities
  • Human service and disaster relief workers
• Stress prevention management
  • Organizational approaches
  • Individual approaches