Mental Health Response to Disasters: Natural Disasters (Part One) (On-demand webinar)

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on July 15, 2019.

Training Overview
This webinar is part one of a two-part series. The first webinar will discuss a mental health response to both natural and human-created disasters. The differences for each type of disaster will be discussed with a focus on natural disasters. Case studies from different natural disasters will be discussed. It will also discuss the relationship between the mental health and public health sectors and how these two groups work together during a natural disaster.

The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard.

This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact emoryphtc@emory.edu.

About the Trainer
Will Wells, MSW and Kristin James, MSW, CPM

William Wells works in Emergency Preparedness and Response for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. He coordinates behavioral health resources across the state in preparation, response and recovery activities related to natural and human-created disasters. With over 45 years of mental health experience Will has worked in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. Will holds his Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina.  

Kristin James is currently the Director of the Children, Adolescents, and their Families department and the Emergency Preparedness Director at Spartanburg Area Mental Health.  She has been with the Department of Mental Health since 2001, and worked in the School Mental Health program for several years until becoming CAF Director.  Kristin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and holds two master’s degrees:  One from UNC – Chapel Hill in Rehabilitation Psychology and a Master’s in Public Health from American Military University.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.