Hospital and community mental health response to a mass casualty incident

As the incidence of mass casualty incidents (MCIs)-including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and mass shootings-continues to rise worldwide, the need for health care institutions to develop comprehensive MCI response plans, particularly those that incorporate a dedicated mental health component, has become increasingly urgent. A crucial component of these response plans is ensuring that mental health providers are adequately trained, resourced, and prepared to respond by maintaining a foundational competence in disaster mental health. This article reviews definitions of mass casualty and community disasters, explores psychological outcomes, and presents evidence-based interventions that can be used in the aftermath. It highlights the role of psychology in both immediate and long-term mental health responses, with a particular focus on pediatric psychology. Additionally, we discuss the importance of program development and the clear delineation of administrative roles in responding to MCIs. Our review is grounded in the real-world experience of a pediatric psychology response to a specific MCI that occurred at a Level 1 pediatric trauma center and lessons learned through this experience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).