Weathering the storm \u2014 understanding the mental health impact of Hurricane Sandy

Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) conference call Thursday, September 17, 2015Hurricane Sandy was an unprecedented natural disaster that resulted in deaths, injuries, and other disaster-related health effects. A substantial number of people exposed to the storm experienced mental health problems to include, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and serious psychological distress. Research conducted by Project LIGHT, a collaborative effort between Mount Sinai, North Shore-LIJ and the Nassau County Department of Human Services, and the New York City Health Department examined mental health effects of the storm and identified subgroups of individuals who were most vulnerable to the hurricane mental health effects. The research was conducted through the application of multiple methodologies including the collection of survey data from residents of affected areas as well as analysis of Emergency Department data. During the COCA Call, participants will learn about a natural disaster related epidemiologic studies focusing on mental health issues. Participants will also hear about the implications of these findings on disaster preparedness and response activities and how clinicians can help address mental health among those impacted by disasters.Objectives:\u2022 Discuss the vulnerability factors to mental health issues after Hurricane Sandy\u2022 Describe how administrative data from Emergency Department can be utilized for public health purposes\u2022 Describe the groups who were most at risk for mental health issues after the storm\u2022 Describe how local disaster preparedness and response activities can address the mental health needs of residents who are impacted by disastersModerator: Hussain Yusuf, MD, MPH, Epidemiologist, Extramural Research Program Office. Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionPresenter(s): Emanuela Taioli MD PhD, Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Charon Gwynn, PhD, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City09_17_15_hurricane.pdfUNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS POST HURRICANE SANDY: Project light / Emanuela Taioli -- Impact of Hurricane Sandy on Mental Health in New York City / Charon Gwynn.201