title: The integration of mental and behavioral health into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
abstract: The close interplay between mental health and physical health makes it critical to integrate mental and behavioral health considerations into all aspects of public health and medical disaster management. Therefore, the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) convened the Disaster Mental Health Subcommittee to assess the progress of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in integrating mental and behavioral health into disaster and emergency preparedness and response activities. One vital opportunity to improve integration is the development of clear and directive national policy to firmly establish the role of mental and behavioral health as part of a unified public health and medical response to disasters. Integration of mental and behavioral health into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery requires it to be incorporated in assessments and services, addressed in education and training, and founded on and advanced through research. Integration must be supported in underlying policies and administration with clear lines of responsibility for formulating and implementing policy and practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901, USA. Betty-Pfefferbaum@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pfefferbaum
authors.forename: Brian W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schonfeld
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Gerard A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dodgen
authors.forename: Darrin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kaul
authors.forename: Brook
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Norwood
authors.forename: Dori B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Reissman
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Stevan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hobfoll
authors.forename: Russell T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Josef I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Ruzek
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ursano
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lindley
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001524:Behavioral Medicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D054597:Disaster Medicine; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004190:Disasters; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D011634:Public Health; D012066:Relief Work; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D037041:United States Government Agencies