Mini Workshop 12 - Preparing Your Community for Response and Recovery to Mass Violence Incidents
Saturday, November 19, 2022
4:45 PM – 6:15 PM EST
Location: Gotham, 7th Floor
Earn 1.5 CE Credit
Keywords: Mass Violence/Gun Violence, Early Intervention, Trauma Level of Familiarity: Basic Recommended Readings: Ritchie, EC (2003). Mass Violence and Early Intervention: Best Practices Guidelines. Primary Psychiatry, 10, 43-48. S E. Hobfoll, P Watson, C C. Bell, R A. Bryant, M J. Brymer, M J. Friedman, M Friedman, B P.R. Gersons, J.V.M de Jong, C M. Layne, S Maguen, Y Neria, A E.Norwood, R S. Pynoos, D Reissman, J I. Ruzek, A Y. Shalev, Z Solomon, A M. Steinberg, and R J. Ursano. (2007). Five Essential Elements of Immediate and Mid–Term Mass Trauma Intervention: Empirical Evidence. Psychiatry, 70, 283-315. Ritchie, Watson, Friedman Eds. (2006). Interventions Following Mass Violence and Disasters: Strategies for Mental Health Practice. The Guilford Press, New York.
Professor Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina
Victims of mass violence incidents are at risk for experiencing a range of mental health problems including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and prolonged grief. This workshop will provide an overview discussion of current definitions of mass violence incidents (MVIs), impact on victims and communities, as well as current best practices in preparing for and responding to events. Participants will learn about short-term and long-term approaches to assisting communities in healing after a MVI. Several acute interventions have been developed over the past decade with the goal of being implemented shortly following a traumatic event with the aim of reducing risk for longer-term mental health problems. These interventions (i.e., psychological first aid, skills for psychological recovery) will be described as it applies to mass violence. Lessons learned from several MVI responses will be offered. In addition, participants will be provided an overview of the latest resources available from the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center (NMVVRC) which was established in October of 2017 in partnership with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The NMVVRC serves as the source for best evidence to achieve a social understanding of mass violence upon which civic leaders, mental health professionals, journalists, policy makers, and victim assistance professionals can rely.
Outline: Trauma Cue Warnings Definitions of Mass Violence Incidents (MVIs) and their complexities Prevalence of MVIs Who are victims of MVIs Psychological Impact of MVIs Factors that impact mental health outcomes of MVI victims Protective factors related to recovery Early Intervention strategies for trauma and disaster Brief overview of Psychological First Aid Brief Overview of Skills for Psychological Recovery Planning for MVI as it relates to mental health services Response for MVI as it relates to mental health services Recovery efforts for MVI as it relates to mental health services MVI Resources: OVC Toolkit MVI Resources: National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center Lessons learned from the field
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the learner will be able to:
Describe current best practices in immediate and long-term mental health response to mass violence incidents.
Describe basic components of Psychological First Aid for victims of mass violence.
Describe basic components of Skills for Psychological Recovery for victims of mass violence.
Discuss lessons learned and consider approaches for community preparedness for mass violence incidents.
Identify several resources from the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center to assist in preparing for a mass violence incident.
Long-term Goal: Participants will be prepared to engage their communities in preparing for and mental/behavioral health response to mass violence incidents.