European Commission project: European Guideline for Target Group-Oriented Psychosocial Aftercare-Implementation

Prehosp Disaster Med. 2011 Jun;26(3):234-6. doi: 10.1017/S1049023X11006303.

Abstract

After disasters, the individual health and well-being of first responders and affected population are affected for years. Therefore, psychosocial help is needed. Although most victims recover on their own, a minority of survivors, members of rescue teams, or relatives develop long-term, disaster-related psychic disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This subgroup especially should receive timely and appropriate psychosocial help. Many European countries offer post-disaster psychosocial care from a variety of caregivers (i.e., professionals and volunteers, non-governmental organizations, church or commercial organizations). Therefore, European standards for providing post-disaster psychosocial support currently is required. This article describes the project European Guideline for Target Group-Oriented Psychosocial Aftercare-Implementation, supported by the European Commission.

MeSH terms

  • Disaster Medicine / methods
  • Disaster Medicine / organization & administration*
  • Disasters
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Emergency Responders / psychology*
  • European Union
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / organization & administration
  • Mass Screening / standards
  • Social Support
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / prevention & control
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / therapy
  • Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute* / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute* / prevention & control
  • Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute* / therapy
  • Survivors / psychology*