If you don’t have anything nice to say… be a blogger ;)

If you prefer being nice join the Disaster Response Network (and volunteer at your local Red Cross)

Like many of you I’ve had a busy summer– so busy I’ve even had trouble finding time to work on writing for my Reviews & IME’s book/weekly newsletter [shameless plug complete]. While I’d like to post news to this blog a few times per month, it often is “editorial” content. For some of you, that is why you came and that is what you want to hear [and I don’t plan to disappoint you in the future].

I was reflecting on how I haven’t blogged much lately and the things I’ve tended to blog about (ex: APA, APA and oh yes APA?) 😉 have tended to have a critical tone. I at times tend to be a tad critical (thus the title: If you don’t have anything nice to say… be a blogger) 😉 A few of you have been very positive in reinforcing my occasional negativity so you should share some of the blame 😉

Anyway, I decided as summer winds down and hurricane season starts up I’d write something nice instead. The American Psychological Association’s partnership with the Red Cross continues to be an important one. When Hurricane Katrina hit I did not have a relationship with a local Red Cross chapter but my association with APA allowed me to quickly mobilize and respond with the Red Cross as a psychologist.

In 2005 the week following Labor Day weekend I left Ohio and ended up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina (and just prior to Hurricane Rita). I spent 2 weeks traveling between Biloxi, MS and towns in and around Gulfport, MS. I was primarily working in shelters there. Nature can throw some nasty stuff our way. I personally witnessed a devastated coastline including long stretches where there was only rubble where houses once were. I stood in a neighborhood near the ocean where a two-story house had been washed into the middle of the street (many of the houses beyond it had been obliterated). There were plenty of people full of the spirit to rebuild and move forward; however there were also people who refused to reach out to their families for help and refused to get off of their cot in the shelter; their stress and depression had become overwhelming to them.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals can play important and varied roles after disasters. If you think you would be interested be a part of the Disaster Resource Network (DRN) but also go ahead and reach out to your local Red Cross chapter. This will help you start getting training and even let you help in your own community.

You can also be prepared at home in case disaster impacts you and/or your practice.

September is National Preparedness Month; learn more here: https://www.ready.gov/september

Find your local Red Cross chapter here: http://www.redcross.org/find-your-local-chapter

Thanks again,

Todd

Todd Finnerty, Psy.D.