Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee of the National Biodefense Science Board

MISSION

Individuals, families, support networks, and communities must be prepared for and capable of withstanding public health and medical emergencies. 

The Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee, established under the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will provide advice and guidance for discussion and deliberation to the NBSB.  The NBSB will provide recommendations to the Secretary on matters of special interest to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding protecting, preserving, and restoring individual and community mental health in catastrophic health event settings, including pre-event, intra-event, and post-event education, messaging, and interventions, with the long term goal of enhancing capabilities at the State and local level for addressing disaster mental health.

Mandate

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) - 21, “Public Health and Medical Preparedness”, was signed by the President on October 18, 2007. 

Paragraph 31

“The impact of the “worried well” in past disasters is well documented, and it is evident that mitigating the mental health consequences of disasters can facilitate effective response.  Recognizing that maintaining and restoring mental health in disasters has not received sufficient attention to date, within 180 days after the date of this directive, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security, shall establish a Federal Advisory committee for Disaster mental Health.  The committee shall consist of appropriate subject matter and, within 180 days after its establishment, shall submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services recommendations for protecting, preserving, and restoring individual and community mental health in catastrophic health event settings, including pre-event, intra-event, and post-event education, messaging, and interventions.”