Disaster and mass casualty events - A disaster mental health system approach

There is increasing emphasis on mentaL heaLth aspects in disasters, with greater recognition of the tott it takes on affected individuats. Disasters can trigger both psychiatric disorders and broader distress behaviors. However, it is important to appreciate the more systemic imptication of integration of psychiatric care into the resitience of a community. Disaster mentat heatth must focus on communities, not just individual,s. For every individuat affected, theirfamities, friends and socia[networks are atso impacted in direct and indirect ways. lt is criticat that disaster mental heatth not onty be invotved in promoting individuat resitience but al.so systemic integration, to bring awareness about psychiatric impact of disasterto communities. Preventative, poputation-[evet interventions strengthen resitience with ctear communication, reducing fear, stigma and societat fractures. The content of this article was presented at the PreAct Conference in June 2025 in New york City.