CRC Press Disaster Recovery: Community-Based Psychosocial Support in the Aftermath

This new volume, Disaster Recovery: Community-Based Psychosocial Support in the Aftermath, provides a wealth of realistic and applicable information for addressing mental health related issues resulting from disasters. It will provide readers with both a theoretical and practical look at community-based psychosocial support and community consultation from an interdisciplinary perspective. The last thirty years have brought to the fore the importance of psychosocial support as an integrator and cross-cutting theme in disaster response. The need for a timely volume on this topic at this time is based on recent world efforts to include the topic within the disaster risk reduction framework. In this volume, the authors share their practical knowledge about development of community-based psychosocial support based on the hundred of thousands of people in fourteen countries and three continents who provided an immense amount of knowledge about psychosocial support through their participation in programs. These programs helped to lead the way in sharing the strategies and tools presented in here. This book uses case study methodology and practical examples to share how communities can come together, care for themselves, and use their social capital and problem-solving skills to survive and thrive. The information in the book will aid in the development of program offerings for mental health and psychosocial support in disasters and humanitarian emergencies. The final section will provide the components of a proposal for external work and a chapter on monitoring and evaluation. The book will include case studies to help illustrate the content. Edited by Dr. Joseph O. Prewitt Diaz, a 2008 recipient of the American Psychological Association’s International Humanitarian Award, the book is based on his extensive experience and existing research in the field. The information provided here will be helpful to those working in or teaching on disaster management and support, including professors and instructors, students in social work and psychology, government and non-government agencies personnel in the field in places where emerging conflicts are occurring, and many others. Review "Dr. Joe Prewitt’s book is a must read for students, practitioners, and academics in the humanitarian and development field. Covering the building blocks and current events, this is by far the most comprehensive book available on the topic of psychosocial support. Within minutes of reading the text, you will realize why it is hard to discuss psychosocial support without discussing the indelible contributions Dr. Joe has made in this area!" —Jono Anzalone, Vice President, International Services, American Red Cross "An outstanding and comprehensive contribution to the understanding and practice of international disaster psychology. Not only has he and the other contributors presented a sound framework for the necessity and benefits of community-based approaches, but they’ve also included several case examples to demonstrate how those approaches were implemented constructively in a variety of disaster settings. Of special appreciation from this reviewer’s point of view is the clarity and recognition given to several sociological concepts and related community intervention strategies. The authors’ explanation of the importance of a ‘sense of place’ and ways to restore that following a disaster especially bears noting. Both academics as well as practitioners are encouraged to read this book and develop research and program evaluation designs to focus on one or more of the community sociological intervention concepts and methods identified in this publication." —Gordon R. Dodge, PhD, LP, Disaster Psychologist "Disaster Recovery is a landmark text for clinicians and practitioners involved in community-based psychosocial responses in domestic or international emergencies. Based on his many years of disaster experience, Jos