CUNY Response to Tsunami Disaster in South Asia Speakers Bureau

Understanding Traumatic Grief Reactions in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters

Video Not Available at Request of Speaker

This workshop will discuss the psychological effects of traumatic stress in a disaster situation. It will provide an overview of common signs, symptoms, and progression of trauma and grief reactions, and age-specific responses. It will draw distinctions between normal stress reactions from more serious ones and discuss individual and situational risk factors that lead to adverse outcomes. The workshop will also explore existing mental health paradigms and the roles of emergency mental health providers in the context of cross-cultural challenges to exporting trauma relief to countries foreign to the providers.