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Disasters and Mental Health

Thursday, April 24, 2014, 11:15 am – 1:45 pm

Kennedy Room, Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Disasters, natural or man-made, put enormous stress on virtually every function of society. In recent years, cities where disasters have been prevalent, such as Karachi, have experienced an increased incidence of mental illness related to the pervasive psychological trauma of recurrent disasters and violence. Moreover, mental health services, in areas without pervasive trauma, are an ongoing challenge throughout South Asia, with involving issues of stigma, access to adequate treatment, and awareness.

What are the best practices in urban disaster planning and response, and how can trauma care be implemented effectively in dense urban settings? Goals are to outline a plan for a needs assessment in urban areas, explore innovative undertakings to promote access to mental healthcare, and discuss the need for training of health workers.

Faculty lead: Jennifer Leaning, François-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights, HSPH; Director, FXB Center for Health and Human Rights

Ruth Barron, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, HMS

Click here to register for this workshop.

Symposium Preview: Q&A with Jennifer Leaning

Events at Harvard and in the region

Resources

Managing the dead, trauma and survivors
The Express Tribune

We can’t build our way out of disasters any more: Prof. Jennifer Leaning
The Express Tribune

‘The population of Karachi has doubled in 15 years’
The Express Tribune

Karachi may be growing, but its medical care is stunted
The Express Tribune

Participants