The Washington State Department of Health, in partnership with the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice, sponsored regionalized web-based trainings on how to recognize symptoms and identify risks related to the behavioral health consequences of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. The trainings were prepared in coordination with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Mental Health Division. The regional sessions were offered as live web-conferencing events during August and September 2005, and the recorded archives are available for viewing.

Course Description

The trainings introduce the psychosocial phases of a community-wide disaster and common patterns of behavioral responses. The sessions also explain the mental health risks that disaster victims and rescue personnel face after a disaster. Each session included a discussion about a disaster scenario that was customized for each preparedness planning region. During the live web-conferencing event, participants could interact with one another and discuss the implications of the scenario as it unfolded.

Target Audience

• Primary: All healthcare and public health professionals
• Mental health providers, social workers, chaplains and faith-based counselors, critical incident stress management teams, emergency medical technicians, emergency management and response planners

Presenter

Randal Beaton, PhD, EMT, is a clinical psychologist and volunteer emergency medical technician with practical experience counseling disaster survivors. Dr. Beaton is a Research Professor at the University of Washington School of Nursing and is a faculty member of the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. For the past several years, his research has focused on the psychosocial impact of disasters on survivors and first responders.

Archived Trainings

Download and install the iLinc Player from our software and plug-ins page to view the archives.

• Region 1
• Region 2
  
• Region 3
  
• Region 4
  
• Region 5
  
• Region 6
  
• Region 7
• Region 8
• Region 9
• Statewide