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Building a disaster behavioral health response to a radiological nuclear disaster

Ashley Pearson, BS, MPA, CBCP, CTR, Elena Cherepanov, PhD, CTS

Abstract


The analysis of psychological reactions to the past nuclear plants disasters, such as Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania (1979), Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986), and Fukushima, Japan (2011), allows for a development of adequate preparedness and response protocols. The systemic, long-term, and future-oriented impact of radionuclear-type event calls for inclusion of the behavioral health module into comprehensive and multidisciplinary disaster response planning. It is important to incorporate the psychosocial education and focused trainings for responders, public officials, healthcare workers, teachers, and spiritual leaders into established systems of readiness on local, state, and federal levels. Inaccurate or misleading information perpetuates misconceptions and contributes to further victimization of survivors. Building strong partnerships with media can assist in supporting the survivors, gathering testimonies, and mobilizing aid resources by bringing public attention to the problem and shaping public opinion.

Keywords


radionuclear disaster; systemic impact; disaster behavioral health; psychological reactions

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2012.0118

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