American Counseling Association

The disaster services portion of the ACA page encourages counselors to become involved with relief efforts and has information about pro-bono services for disaster victims. ACA has a letter of agreement with the American Red Cross encouraging its members to assist with DMH activities.

American Psychiatric Association

The APA is the most recent professional organization to sign a letter of agreement with ARC supporting DMH programs for disaster relief, training, preparedness planning, and recruitment. Their site offers lots of information about these and other APA initiatives.

American Psychological Association

The disaster services portion of the APA page encourages psychologists to become involved with relief efforts and has information about pro-bono services for disaster victims. APA has a letter of agreement with the American Red Cross encouraging its members to assist with DMH activities.

American Red Cross (National)

The ARC pages have general information about the full range of ARC programs and employment opportunities. This site also has frequent updates about the larger disasters for which ARC is providing relief services. Many local ARC chapters also have their own webpages. Check if your chapter has one.

ARC / IBM / CNN Disaster Relief Website

Through the combined efforts of the Red Cross, the IBM Corporation, and CNN, this site offers up-to-the-minute information about disasters worldwide. This project is funded by a grant from IBM, with a Red Cross team managing the site. In addition to news reports, there is information about other nonprofit and government relief, e-mail services and links for victims, and directions on how to give volunteer time, cash, and/or in-kind donations.

Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

Have you ever lost a beloved pet? The APLB is a compassionate non-profit organization dedicated to helping people during this very special kind of bereavement. They are involved in improving and publicizing the guidance available to those who would benefit from this. Many of the founders of this organization are established authors and counselors in this developing field. The APLB extends its service as a worldwide clearing house for all information on pet bereavement. They regularly update a list of books on this subject, as well as a registry of those who counsel in this specialized profession. They also produce a quarterly newsletter that contains insightful articles and suggestions that the grieving pet owner or counselor will find very helpful.

Australasian Journal of Disaster & Trauma Studies

This link offers current and previous issues of the journal. Here are some examples of the articles that can be found in this site: The Origins and Natural History of Debriefing; Individual Differences and Debriefing Effectiveness; An Evaluation of Humour in Emergency Work; and Work-related psychological trauma: A social psychological and organizational approach to understanding response and recovery.

David V. Baldwin's Trauma Info.

This is the best DMH page that I've found and includes a little bit of everything relating to many different aspects of traumatology. If he wasn't working so hard to keep the information in his pages so current and complete, I'd probably feel compelled to do what he's already doing. It's great stuff! David also volunteers with the ARC DMH team and some of his experiences are included.

Bruderhof Grief Companion

Everyone grieves differently, but no one needs to carry grief alone. Whatever loss you are grieving, here you can share your loss with others, and find material that other grieving people have found helpful and comforting. Grieving takes time. Take time to grieve.

Cable News Network (CNN)

Disaster relief workers (sometimes referred to as "crisis junkies") view the world somewhat differently than others who have never gone out on a relief assignment. When disasters are happening and they are not able to be part of the action, they are often found watching CNN (and/or The Weather Channel) for the latest updates.

Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness

CCEP's mandate is to assist communities, governments and private business to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from man-made or natural disasters. In addition to the World Conference on Disaster Management held annually in Hamilton, the CCEP provides emergency planning services to neighboring municipalities, training and professional certification for disaster recovery/business continuity planners and emergency response managers, and is currently establishing an International Emergency Preparedness Training Centre.

CBS News Disaster Links

CBS has gathered a vast collection of links to disaster-related websites. This is an excellent beginning point for an exploration of many natural, accidental, and human-caused disaster topics.

Center for Mental Health Services (KEN)

The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) provides information about mental health via a toll-free telephone number (800-789-2647), and more than 200 publications. CMHS developed KEN for users of mental health services and their families, the general public, policy makers, providers, and the media. The staff members working the phones are skilled at listening and responding to questions from the public and professionals. The staff members can quickly direct callers to Federal, State, and local organizations dedicated to treating and preventing mental illness.

Center for Trauma Response, Recovery and Preparedness

The Center for Trauma Response, Recovery and Preparedness (CTRP) is a collaborative initiative of The University of Connecticut Health Center, Department of Psychiatry and Yale University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Yale Child Study Center in partnership with the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Department of Children and Families.  CTRP provides clinical, educational and scientific expertise to enhance the capacity of Connecticut’s behavioral health system to promote the safety and recovery of people affected by disasters and their continuing aftermath.

Chaplain Corps

The Chaplain Corps is a non-profit ministry to the fire service.  The site offers a program of national and international networking, support, and communication to fire/rescue and EMS chaplaincy programs and to all firefighters and emergency services personnel who serve so willingly.

Department of Homeland Security

This is a link to the U.S. Government’s Department of Homeland Security disaster preparedness site. There is lots of helpful material to help folks prepare for emergency situations.

Disaster Mental Health Institute - University of South Dakota

This site provides information about the educational programs and services available via the USD DMH Institute. There is also an extensive list of published DMH reference material. The director and several staff members are very active in relief efforts via the American Red Cross.

Disaster Mental Health ListServe

(e-mail link)

An e-mail discussion group for disaster mental health professionals — an ongoing conference. Topics are brought to a roundtable of colleagues to discuss mental health issues in disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster recovery. Denruth Lougeay, Ph.D. is the Owner / Moderator and this is an e-mail link to her [ deneelou@cox.net ] for those interested in learning more about it.

Disaster Mortuary Team

DMORT is a program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that assists local authorities with mortuary assistance during mass fatality incidents. Team members come from many disciplines including: Medical Examiner/Coroners, Forensic Pathologists, Forensic Anthropologists, Fingerprint Specialists, Forensic Odontologists, Funeral Directors/Embalmers, Dental Assistants, X-ray Technicians, Photographic Specialists, Heavy Equipment Operators, Mental Health Specialists, DNA Specialists, Computer Specialists, Medical Records Technicians, Transcriptionists, Administrative support staff, Security personnel, Investigative personnel, Evidence Specialists, and Facility Maintenance Personnel.

Disaster News Network

DNN is the first comprehensive Internet site of timely news and information about U.S. disaster response and volunteer opportunities. In addition to home page articles about breaking disasters, a unique section of individual disaster news sections continues to provide up-to-date information about each disaster. The first nationwide database of disaster-related volunteer opportunities is also included on the site. The site is sponsored by Church World Service.

Disaster Preparedness and Response

Offers a collection of information and links for disaster plans, policies, and guidelines used by libraries and museums.

Emergency Support Network

Clinical Psychologist, Michael Tunnecliffe’s ESN offers professional development courses and training programs to assist critical incident response planning and staff strategies for dealing with aggressive and challenging behaviours.  ESN has been in operation since 1989 and serves organizations throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Executive Session on Domestic Preparedness

ESDP is a standing task force concerned with issues relating to terrorism and emergency management. It is jointly sponsored by the JFK School of Government at Harvard University and the US Department of Justice. Of special interest are their many publications, especially their Perspectives on Preparedness series.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA is an independent agency of the US federal government. Its mission is: to reduce loss of life and property and protect our nation's critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Their site contains detailed information about FEMA programs and services.

George Washington University Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management

The goal of The Institute is to improve the disaster, emergency, and crisis management plans, actions and decisions of government, corporate, and not-for-profit organizations by transforming theory into practice. The Institute's objectives are to create and teach courses in crisis, disaster, and risk management; conduct research, and create knowledge through its research activities; and disseminate knowledge through education al programs, professional forums, and workshops. The Institute faculty and staff work to facilitate exchanges of crisis management information, knowledge, and best practices among all sectors. The Institute is engaged in both domestic and international endeavors. Established in 1994, the Institute is an interdisciplinary academic center affiliated with the University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Public Health and Health Services, and Elliott School of International Affairs. The capabilities of the Institute are enhanced by its close links with other GW academic and research centers including the Political Psychology Program, the Aviation Institute, the National Crash Analysis Center, the Transportation Research Institute, and the International Institute for Tourism Studies.

Gift From Within

Gift from Within is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those at risk for PTSD, and those who care for traumatized individuals.  Their philosophy is to rekindle hope and restore dignity to trauma survivors.  GFW's Founder, Frank Ochberg, is a former associate director of the National Institute of Mental Health and is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of violence.  A unique service is the Gift From Within Support Pal Network.  It's a list of women and men who suffer or who have suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The purpose of this service is to give survivors the opportunity to connect (email, regular mail and phone) emotionally with others about what they are feeling and experiencing. This support system also gives survivors the unique opportunity to help others in need and it is not meant to be a substitute for any kind of professional help.  While the site's primary interest is in helping survivors cope, they also have resources for professionals.

Green Cross Academy of Traumatology

Charles Figley’s Green Cross offers consultation, training workshops, a journal, and research information.  In the event of a disaster or other emergency need, the Green Cross Assistance Program can provide trained traumatology specialists from its worldwide membership to the needed location(s).  There is excellent information on trauma and compassion fatigue.

Grief Recovery Online (GROWW)

GROWW is an independent haven for the bereaved developed by the bereaved. The site offers hundreds of pages of information, links, and support for those who have lost loved ones. Here you will find partners in pain sharing their experience and their strength. The site also has message boards and secure chat rooms hosted by some of the most loving people on the internet to serve all who are grieving.

GriefWorks

GriefWorks was founded in 1995 by Celia Ryan as a response to the need for specialized grief and loss counseling, information and education.
The site provides help and support to people struggling with loss and the resulting grief. The site offers compassionate understanding and the tools and resources to help folks along the journey of grief.

International Conference of Police Chaplains

Provides helpful information about the specialized pastoral care ministry provided by men and women who serve as police chaplains in law enforcement agencies around the world.

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)

This site offers information about the Critical Incident Stress Management programs offered by the Foundation. There is information about debriefing services that the group has provided at various national and international disaster sites. There is also a list of upcoming training dates and locations.

JMU's Virginia Disaster Stress Website

Identifies helpful disaster stress material (books, brochures, newsletters, etc.). Also contains preparedness information, names of key players, training outlines, program descriptions, funding resources, and links to other DMH websites.

Life Challenges

A non-profit resource center originated to offer people inspiration, support and hope while they face challenges, crises, change, unexpected events, obstacles and turning points in their lives.