Disaster Behavioral Health: Tools & Resources for the WA State Healthcare Workforce (Web-based)

Course Number: WB3147

This online course is designed to enhance the networking capacity and training of healthcare professionals to recognize and coordinate care of those with behavioral health consequences of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies, and to illustrate the resources, plans, and response agencies in Washington State. It consists of a pre-test, three embedded scenarios with questions and answers, and a post-test that is set within a case study. The course outlines the psychosocial phases of a community-wide disaster and explains common temporal patterns of behavioral responses. Mental health risks that disaster victims and rescue personnel face after a disaster, and abnormal signs that might indicate the need for a psychological evaluation are discussed. Finally, the course addresses the local preparedness role in public mental health emergencies, and specifically covers the agencies and preliminary plans in Washington State as a case study.

Course Link

TARGET AUDIENCE: Public health workers, mental health professionals, emergency responders, faith-based leaders, nurses, physicians, emergency management planners, health educators, and social workers.

MATERIALS:
- Computer with internet connection and audio player.
- Headset or speakers for listening to the audio.
- Flash Macromedia Player (free download).