Strengthening Cultural Sensitivity in Children’s Disaster Mental Health Services

MELISSA ALLEN HEATH, AMANDA B. NICKERSON,
NEIL ANNANDALE, ANA KEMPLE and BRENDA DEAN

January 1, 2009

During and following natural or man-made disasters, relief efforts have a long history of initially focusing on basic survival needs, then restoring community stability. Disaster mental health is a relatively new aspect of relief efforts, particularly in regard to children’s needs. After reviewing objectives of major relief organizations and summarizing current research in light of practitioners’ input, suggestions and resources are offered to strengthen cultural sensitivity in school-based disaster mental health services.

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