The Importance of Disaster Behavioral Health: Why it Matters Main page content Date: April 01, 2024

https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/importance-disaster-behavioral-health-why-it-matters?utm_source=SAMHSA&utm_campaign=e9675a4083-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_04_04_01_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-e9675a4083-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D By: CAPT Maryann Robinson, Ph.D., RN, Director, Division of Trauma and Disaster Behavioral Health, Center for Mental Health Services, Anne Reim, M.P.H., Division of Trauma and Disaster Behavioral Health, Center for Mental Health Services and Maggie Jarry, M.Div., M.S., Senior Advisor, Division of Trauma and Disaster Behavioral Health, Center for Mental Health Services From devastating wildfires, tornadoes, and mudslides to mass shootings and terrorist attacks, it’s almost impossible to turn on the news these days without seeing a report about another disaster. Natural and human-caused disasters are increasing in frequency, duration, and severity. In 2023 alone, the United States experienced 114 federally declared disasters, including 28 separate weather and climate disasters that each caused at least $1 billion in damages. These disasters can have a deep impact on affected people and communities, especially when multiple disasters have occurred in the same area.