%0 Journal Article
%T Using professional organizations to prepare the behavioral health workforce to respond to the needs of pediatric populations impacted by health-related disasters: guiding principles and challenges
%J Disaster medicine and public health preparedness
%D 2015
%A Sprang, Ginny
%A Silman, Miriam
%V 9
%N 6
%P 642-649
%X Behavioral health professional organizations are in the unique role of aggregating and disseminating information to their membership before, during, and after health-related disasters to promote the integration of behavioral health services into the public health disaster response plan. This article provides a set of 5 principles to direct this undertaking that are based on the current literature and previous evaluation of the online guidance provided by 6 prominent behavioral health professional organizations. These principles use a strengths-based approach to prioritize resilience; underscore the importance of context, collaboration, and coordination; recognize the unique needs of pediatric populations; and guide ongoing training and content development in the area of biopsychosocial responses to health-related disasters. Recognizing important innovations and strides made by the behavioral health organizations noted in a previous study, this article recommends additional areas in which behavioral health professional organizations can contribute to overall pandemic disaster preparedness and response efforts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;0:1-8).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Cambridge University Press
%@ 1935-7893
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2015.82