Reports to the President
Secretary Leavitt releases Report to the President: Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy
Understanding Mental Illness
Understanding Mental Illness – after the Virginia Tech Tragedy: Resources to help us all become better informed about mental illness.
Information Clearinghouses
SAMHSA Disaster Technical
Assistance Center
The Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) supports SAMHSA’s efforts to
prepare States, Territories, and local entities to deliver an effective
behavioral health response during disasters. We support collaboration between
mental health and substance abuse authorities, Federal agencies, and
nongovernmental organizations. The SAMHSA DTAC provides consultation to review
disaster plans, conducts literature reviews, and brokers knowledge and support.
The National Child
Traumatic Stress Network
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network was established to improve access to
care, treatment, and services for traumatized children and adolescents exposed
to traumatic events.
For Responders and Health Professionals
Guide for Emergency Response and Public Safety Workers: Tips for Managing and Preventing Stress 
Tips for Emergency and Disaster Response Workers: Possible Alcohol and Substance Abuse Indicators
Mental
Health Response to Mass Violence and Terrorism: This manual contains
"the basics" of what mental health providers, crime victim assistance
professionals, and faith-based counselors need to know to provide appropriate
mental health support following incidents involving criminal mass
victimization. The manual is primarily for mental health professionals, yet all
service providers will find much of the material to be useful.
Mental
Health Response to Mass Violence and Terrorism, A Field Guide: This
Field Guide is intended for mental health and disaster workers; first
responders; government agency employees; and crime victim assistance,
faith-based, healthcare, and other service providers who assist survivors and
families during the aftermath of mass violence and terrorism. All who come in
contact with victims and families can contribute to restoring their dignity and
sense of control by interacting with sensitivity, kindness, and respect. This
Field Guide provides the basics of responding to those in crisis.
Field Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters:
This Field Manual is intended for mental health workers and other human service
providers who assist survivors following a disaster. This pocket reference
provides the basics of disaster mental health, with numerous specific and
practical suggestions for workers. Essential information about disaster
survivors' reactions and needs is included. "Helping" skills are described with
guidance for when to refer for professional assistance. Strategies for worker
stress prevention and management are presented in the last section.
SAMHSA Fundamentals of Disaster
Planning and Response: SAMHSA’s series of Webcasts on disaster planning
and response in six topics areas:
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Key Concepts in Disaster Mental Health
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Managing Your Stress in Crisis Response Work
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Psychological First Aid Approaches
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Disasters
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Child Trauma and Schools: Disaster Response
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Substance Use Disorders, Trauma, and Post-Traumatic Stress
Psychosocial
Issues For Children And Families In Disasters -- A Guide For The Primary Care
Physician: The focus of this manual is on how the child health care
provider may better prepare, assess, and treat youngsters and their families in
the event of a disaster. As a recognized leader in a community, the physician
also may be called upon to address community needs in case of such events. This
manual also will aid the physician in assuming this role.
For Students
Tips for College Students: In the Wake of Trauma
Half of Us: An interactive Web site striving to decrease stigma around mental health in the college community.
For Schools
Guide for Parents and Educators: Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events
Tips for Talking to Children: Interventions At Home for Preschoolers to Adolescents
Tips
for Talking to Children After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers: Children respond to trauma in many different ways. Some may have reactions very
soon after the event; others may seem to be doing fine for weeks or months,
then begin to show worrisome behavior. Knowing the signs that are common at
different ages can help parents and teachers to recognize problems and respond
appropriately.
Department of Education Safe & Drug-Free Schools: Guidance for school administrators, publications, organizations that can help, and other general information on keeping schools safe and drug-free.
A Guide for Intermediate and Long-term Mental Health Services After School-related Violent Events: this guide outlines the roles of school-based service providers - including teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and school nurses - in responding to the mental health needs of students after school-related violent events.
Youth and School Violence Prevention Resources: Browse more than 50 Federal documents and Web sites covering important issues around youth and school violence prevention. Find out more about violence prevention programs, organizations and agencies supporting prevention, and the reports released by the Federal Government.
For Adults
Tips for Suvivors of a Truamatic Event: Managing Your Stress
Tips for Suvivors of a Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work and Financial Life
How to Deal With Grief
Disaster Tips Wallet Card: Having Trouble Coping? (English) (Espanol)
After
a Disaster: Self-Care Tips for Dealing with Stress: This fact sheet
includes care tips for survivors of a traumatic event, what to expect in your
personal, family, work, and financial life.
After
a Disaster: What Teens Can Do: These tips focus on teens affected by
traumatic events.
Anxiety
Disorders: How to Deal with Grief: Help and resources for understanding
and coping with grief.
Recovering
Your Mental Health: Dealing with the Effects of Trauma: A Self Help
Guide: a self-help guide for dealing with the effects of trauma.
For Families
Guide for Parents and Educators: Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events
Tips for Talking to Children: Interventions At Home for Preschoolers to Adolescents
Age-Specific
Interventions at Home for Children in Trauma: From Preschool to Adolescence: Children are just as affected as adults are by a disaster or traumatic event.
Some may be affected even more, but no one realizes it.
Anxiety
Disorders in Children and Adolescents: This fact sheet details the
different types and signs of anxiety disorders, including Post-traumatic Stress
Disorder.
Helping
Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety: Whether tragic events touch your
family personally or are brought into your home via newspapers and television,
you can help children cope with the anxiety that violence, death, and disasters
can cause.
Reaction
of Children to a Disaster: Many feelings and reactions are shared by
people of all ages in response to a disaster. However, special attention is
required to meet the needs of children. This fact sheet explores the typical
reactions for children of different age groups.
Major
Depression in Children and Adolescents: A fact sheet about depression
in children and adolescents.
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