Disasters Mass Violence and Psychologic al First Aid

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to the psychological and physiological human response to disasters, mass violence and the practice of psychological first aid. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of and professional responders to mass disasters and mass violence. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Issues of assessment, diagnosis and treatment of acute stress disorders and other trauma spectrum disorders will be thoroughly addressed.