Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Disaster Situations in the Caribbean

Abstract

Many publications addressing mental health issues in disaster situations have been produced in the last decade. Nevertheless, the specific reality of the Caribbean, with its limited number of mental health professionals and its high vulnerability to natural hazards, requires material that specifically addresses these characteristics and reflects the latest developments and approaches. This new publication is directed to Caribbean health sector managers, community workers and other disaster and health professionals. It provides guidance on improving mental health and psychosocial support primarily in two phases of the disaster cycle: preparedness and response, and to a lesser extent, recovery.