Most people do not see themselves as needing mental health services following disaster and will not seek such services. Survivors may reject disaster assistance of all types. Disaster mental health assistance is often more practical than psychological in nature. Disaster mental health services must be uniquely tailored to the communities they serve. Mental health workers need to set aside traditional methods, avoid the use of mental health labels, and use an active outreach approach to intervene successfully in disaster.
Survivors respond to active, genuine interest, and concern.
Interventions must be appropriate to the phase of the disaster. Social support systems are crucial to recovery. Most people who are coping with the aftermath of a disaster are normal, well-functioning people who are struggling with the disruption and loss caused by the disaster. They do not see themselves as needing mental health services and are unlikely to request them. This is why disaster mental health workers must go to the survivors and not wait and expect that survivors will come to them.