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Lessons learned and forgotten: The need for prevention and mental health interventions in disaster preparedness
Author(s) -
Mangelsdorff A. David
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(198507)13:3<239::aid-jcop2290130302>3.0.co;2-t
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , preparedness , mental health , psychology , disaster preparedness , nursing , medicine , medical education , psychiatry , psychotherapist , emergency management , political science , law
Human beings have been subjected to the effects of both natural and man‐made disasters for centuries. How humans have coped with catastrophes has been recorded through history. This review proceeds from an examination of the efforts in legislation and disaster research through a brief history of wartime experiences and treatment of combat stress reactions. As warfare changed, so did the ability of soldiers to cope. Likewise, treatment interventions to restore soldiers to effectiveness evolved with the changes in warfare. The treatment principles developed in war and the concepts recognized from the stress literature can be integrated to understand how the treatment interventions work. Examples of the delivery of mental health services are reviewed. The lessons learned during war were often forgotten after the war. It was not until the 1970s that the need for prevention and planning for mental health interventions during and after disasters was legislated. Research efforts are now focusing on planning, implementing interventions, and following survivors/victims for posttraumatic effects.