Abstract
The authors use disaster experiences that range from quite localized incidents to catastrophes around the world to illustrate how integration can work on many levels. From the disaster behavioral health (DBH) perspective, the response draws upon a highly variable collection of persons (primarily volunteers) whose makeup varies by state and jurisdiction. At the international level, evidence-based guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in emergency settings have been widely ratified and used effectively in responses to natural disasters, armed conflict, and humanitarian emergencies. This is a phrase equivalent to DBH in the US Future directions highlight the advantages of developing a more systematic, science-based, and professionalized DBH response within the United States, and incorporating the international MHPSS guidelines to enhance DBH within the United States and to streamline integration when the United States participates in an international response.
From an emergency management (EM) perspective, the scale of the disaster is a primary determinant of the levels of response that must be activated to manage the event. The chapter includes four case studies that focus on best practices, lessons learned, and provides a planning matrix to improve integration.
