Help is available for people impacted by the July 2024 flooding in Central and Northern Vermont. Please review this page for more information about the Starting Over Strong Vermont program. Additional resources are available on the DMH Flood Resources Page. Stay safe!
Resources for Disaster Responders and First Responders
This part of the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center website notes the stressors that may be involved in work as a responder, identifies signs of stress, and offers coping tips. The page features links to tip sheets, online trainings, and other resources related to responder mental health and freedom from substance use issues and conditions.
This online article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of responder self-care and presents steps responders can take before, during, and after deployment to manage stress and avoid burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Suggestions are provided for working with other responders on stress management and maintaining habits to support health and optimal functioning.
In this topical resource collection, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) provides a wealth of items for healthcare, public health, and emergency management professionals pertaining to safety, including mental health-related safety for responders. Part of the ASPR Technical Assistance, Resource Collection, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) resource, the collection features three sections about responder behavioral health and resilience.
The NCTSN offers this online course to train new disaster responders in Psychological First Aid (PFA), as well as to provide a refresher training for responders who want to review this approach to disaster response. The course describes the core actions of PFA and how they can be applied after a disaster, as well as discussing provider well-being.
