http:\/\/www.redcross.org\/take-a-class\/disaster-training <\/a>
\no\tClick on \u201cOnline Training Modules\u201d tab in the center of the page.
\no\tClick on \u201cDisaster Mental Health: Introduction\u201d to launch the course.
\n\u2022\tTo be trained in Disaster Mental Health Fundamentals \u2013 a webinar that will be scheduled soon; more information when contacted <\/p>\nAM I ELIGIBLE?
\nRed Cross DMH Volunteers must be:
\no\tIndependently-licensed, master\u2019s level (or higher) mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, professional counselors),
\no\tState-licensed or state-certified school counselors and school psychologists, or
\no\tRNs with two years experience working in a psychiatric setting
\nIf you are not eligible, don\u2019t worry. There are many volunteer opportunities within Red Cross that are equally important and rewarding. Please contact your chapter to explore activities such as Client Casework or Mass Care. You chapter may recommend a good volunteer fit for you. <\/p>\n
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW
\n1.\tContact dmh@redcross.org with the following information: <\/p>\n
a.\tProfessional name
\nb.\tEmail address
\nc.\tProfessional license\/certification
\nd.\tState in which you live
\ne.\tAirport(s) that you would fly from <\/p>\n
f.\tEarliest date you can leave
\ng.\tDate you must be home
\nh.\tA phone number and good times to reach you <\/p>\n
2.\tA member of our DMH deployment team will contact you
\na.\tTo confirm continued interest and availability
\nb.\tTo answer questions and brief you on the situation
\nc.\tTo give you further instructions<\/p>\n
Why does it take so long to get deployed? Why is there so much paperwork?
\no\tEssential information and background checks are needed to ensure the safety and welfare of Red Cross clients, volunteers and partners. Preparing disaster relief workers to respond in the aftermath of disaster can be extremely challenging. Chapter staff is often overworked and are often volunteers themselves.
\no\tThe Red Cross places high value in getting the right people, to the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time. Sometimes that means taking more time before deployment in order to save time moving people later.
\no\tLocal Red Cross chapters are managing large amounts of requests from the community and from prospective volunteers. <\/p>\n
What is different about volunteering with the Red Cross?
\no\tBe patient and flexible. Situations in disaster change rapidly and service delivery needs are fluid. You may be asked to work at one site providing one type of service and then be switched to another site within a short period of time.
\no\tOur co-workers are also our clients. 90% of Red Cross staff are volunteers just like you. They need your support.
\no\tYou won\u2019t have an office. Most mental health work done in disaster is done in non-traditional settings, like shelters and service centers. You may be providing support as you\u2019re going for a walk or sitting under a tree.
\no\tProvide non-traditional mental health services.
\no\tPsychological first aid, triage, crisis intervention, assessment and basic support
\no\tEarly intervention is primarily focused on assisting disaster survivors and response workers in meeting their most basic needs.
\n\uf0a7\tHelping people feel safe and secure
\n\uf0a7\tObtaining food and water
\n\uf0a7\tAddressing physical health needs (e.g., first aid, medications)
\n\uf0a7\tConnecting to family, friends, and other social support networks.
\no\tPsychotherapy is not appropriate.
\no\tThe work is very rewarding \u2026. And very frustrating. You\u2019re working with people who have immediate needs for emotional support, food, shelter and other basics. The most crucial need is information, which often you don\u2019t have because the situation is constantly changing. We do the best we can with the limited resources we have. <\/p>\n
What if I\u2019m already a trauma specialist \u2013 why do I need special training?
\no\tThe Red Cross has a specific role in disaster response which is different from the regular work of most mental health professionals. Training is needed to understand that role.
\no\tIn order to minimize frustration, you need to understand the disaster response system and organization of the Red Cross.
\no\tMost trauma interventions are not appropriate in the early aftermath of disaster, but your specialized training can be helpful in identifying those who are at risk for longer-term complications. <\/p>\n
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
\ndmh@redcross.org\tValerie Cole, MN Disaster Health and Disaster Mental Health 202-341-8231<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS RECRUITMENT INFORMATION For American Red Cross Flood Disaster Relief Operations DR 063-17 in Louisiana August 2016 PLEASE HELP THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA! […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[2],"tags":[138,137],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=454"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":455,"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454\/revisions\/455"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psychology.news\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}