The goal of disaster mental health interventions is to promote resilience to the psychiatric stress of disasters. This paper would be remiss without a brief discussion of the dynamic interplay that creates both vulnerability and resiliency in human systems. However, a comprehensive discussion on human resiliency is beyond the scope of this paper. Shultz et al has defined a disaster as “an encounter between a hazard and a human population in harm’s way, influenced by the ecological context, creating demands that exceed the coping capacity of the affected community.” [] Adger et al suggests that social and ecological vulnerabilities to hazards that lead to disasters are influenced by either the “build up or erosion” of factors that contribute to community resiliency. [] Depending on the type and severity of the disaster, sociological disruption can create additional stressors that compound the post-traumatic stress burden of the incident. Many disasters result in the disruption of social networks and the social supports through evacuations, relocation, or destruction of housing. In addition to geographical disruption of social support networks, the economic impact of disasters can lead to increased crime which can further stress social networks. [] Abramson et al evaluated the predictors and prevalence of mental distress following Hurricane Katrina and concluded “socio-ecological frameworks suggest that a stronger social web that incorporates elements of security and resumption of social roles, social practices, and social institutions can provide a therapeutic effect.” [] Therefore hazard analysis and impact assessment of a disaster must consider more that individual psychological factors but also draw on a socio-ecological framework that can help mental health workers understand the role that social support networks have on individual mental health.
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