Supporting Children's Mental Health Needs in Disasters.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Disaster Medicine
• Child Psychiatry

Background:

• Public health emergencies and disasters are frequent in the U.S., necessitating robust support for children's mental health.
• Children have unique developmental, social, emotional, and behavioral needs during and after disasters.
• Existing emergency response systems require enhancement to adequately address pediatric mental health crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize evidence on effectively addressing children's mental health needs in disasters.
• To outline strategies for integrating mental health into all disaster phases (preparedness, response, recovery).
• To explore traditional and emerging models for pediatric disaster mental health response.

Main Methods:

• Review of current evidence and best practices in disaster mental health for children.
• Discussion of integrated care models, including a national children's disaster mental health concept of operations.
• Examination of community partnerships and specific resources like crisis lines and telemental health.

Main Results:

• A
• pediatric disaster system of care
• involving community partnerships (schools, faith-based organizations, public health, law enforcement) is crucial for broad reach.
• Special attention is needed for children with pre-existing behavioral health conditions and equitable access for minoritized and rural populations.
• Effective strategies include psychological first aid, screening, triage, and stepped care approaches.

Conclusions:

• Integrating mental health into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery is essential for children.
• Fostering a pediatric disaster system of care through community partnerships enhances service delivery.
• Equitable access and tailored interventions are vital to meet the diverse mental health needs of children affected by disasters.