In the wake of the tragedy at Von Maur on Dec. 5, the importance of first responders is evident.
That includes not only police officers, fire fighters and security personnel, but those who went to the Hampton Inn near Westroads on that fateful night to be with the families who had lost loved ones: the behavioral health responders.
“I think in a lot of cases, the behavioral health response is not thought of when people are planning a response to a disaster; however, we are the first ones called when something happens,” said Robin Zagurski, a clinical social worker in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s psychiatry department. “It’s important because we can help people stay calm and respond in a proactive manner. We can help responders to take care of themselves and we can help prevent future problems by responding quickly so that people don’t go on to develop serious mental health crisis afterwards.”
The people most at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are untrained responders, Zagurski said.
To educate behavioral health providers on how to respond in the acute aftermath of a disaster, a forum titled, "Psychiatric Dimensions Post-Disaster: A Public Health Perspective,” will be held on Feb. 13 from 2-4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 3321 S. 72nd Street.
The conference sponors include Region 6 Behavioral Health Services, UNMC’s Department of Psychiatry, the Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System (OMMRS), Department of Health and Human Services, and the Nebraska Public Policy Center. The conference will cover the four phases of a behavioral health emergency, which include:
Heroic Phase – People rush to help, provide rescue and are happy to do so 24/7. This phase usually lasts from hours to a few days, depending on the size of the disaster.
Honeymoon Phase – More people come to aid and work long hours. Those affected by the disaster are glad and very thankful. This phase can last anywhere from weeks to a couple months.
Disillusionment Phase – People begin to complain that they aren’t getting their fair share of donations/resources and stop getting along as well. Tempers flare. Everyone is tired. This typically lasts weeks to months.
Recovery Phase – People seem to find their rhythm again and begin working together and making plans for the future. This can last for years.
According to Zagurski, Omaha is currently in the disillusionment phase.
“We’ve seen it with both 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina,” said Zagurski, who is also a disaster volunteer for the American Red Cross. “Disillusionment is very normal and common with disasters regardless.
“I think it’s important for people to understand these phases and that what we’re experiencing is what other people in other situations have experienced, so that they know feeling angry and frustrated is a common reaction to an event like this.
As the featured speaker at the upcoming conference, Anthony Ng, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine/Health Sciences and an assistant professor at George Washington University will discuss how psychiatric and public health communities can prepare for the psychological and behavioral consequences of a disaster.
Three other speakers will talk about the local response to the Von Maur tragedy.
• Dena Howard, Chief Programs Officer of the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter
Howard has served as both a volunteer and as the interim Emergency Services Director American Red Cross Heartland Chapter during the 2005 hurricane season. She currently oversees all emergency services functions for the chapter.
•Denise Bulling, PhD, LIMHP, Senior Research Director, University of Nebraska Public Policy Center
Dr. Bulling has been a leader in Nebraska’s development of disaster behavioral health response and is a part of the National Cadre of Consultants for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Technical Assistance Center.
•Dennis Snook, MPA Manager of Emergency Services Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare
Snook is responsible for coordinating emergency response efforts for those who are experiencing an acute crisis situation and have come in contact with local hospitals, law enforcement and the Board of Mental Health. He also co-chairs the OMMRS Behavioral Health Committee.
“We hope to provide an understanding that disaster behavioral health is a very different set of skills than traditional behavioral health,” Zagurski said of the event’s purpose. “(Disaster behavioral health responders) do not pathologize and they don’t go in and provide standard treatments. What they do is make sure people are able to function and that they move forward.”
For more information or to register for the event, e-mail Zagurski at rzagursk@unmc.edu or contact Eileen McCarthy at Region 6 Behavioral Health Services at (402) 444-6573.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.