Building a disaster behavioral health response to a radiological nuclear disaster

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

doi:10.5055/jem.2012.0118

Authors

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

DOI:

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

Keywords:

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

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.

Author Biographies

Ashley Pearson, BS, MPA, CBCP, CTR

Department of Mental Health, Director of Emergency Management Services, State Disaster Behavioral Health Coordinator, Massachusetts.

Elena Cherepanov, PhD, CTS

Coordinator of Trauma Studies Program, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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