| AHMHA is dedicated to providing resources and assistance to those who are currently experiencing a disaster. On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. The capital, Port-au-Prince was devastated. Thousands of lives have been lost and thousands more are in need of food, clothing and mental health assistance. This page will be dedicated with links and resources that AHMHA is currently pursuing to provide care. Please check this page often as this page will be updated as more information is received.
Disaster Chaplaincy Services Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti
Beginning on January 14th, Disaster Chaplaincy Services (DCS) volunteer chaplains have been providing support to the Haitian community of New York City in response to devastating earthquate that hit Haiti on January 12th. At the request of the American Red Cross in Greater New York DCS chaplains were onsite at four public schools in Brooklyn providng crisis interventions and support to the affected students and staff.
Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs--Haiti Earthquake Situation Report
The following report from the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has been edited to remove internal contact information and to clarify abbreviations and subject headlines.
The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
To read the report, click here.
Taking Care of Emotional Health
Disasters can bring about significant stress. This is especially true if you have experienced a previous disaster. The good news is that many people have experience coping with stressful life events and are naturally resilient—meaning we are designed to “bounce back” from difficult times. In the days following a disaster, it is common for you, your family and friends to experience a variety of reactions. Feelings of exhaustion, worry, and anger can surface, especially if you’ve had to leave your home or have had to contend with the frustrations of having no electricity, have had to clean up disaster debris, or have had to wait in long lines for disaster assistance... Here is some information on how to recognize your current feelings and tips for taking care of the emotional health of you, your family and friends.
To download these helpful tips from the American Red Cross, click here.
Support our Haitian Brothers and Sister through the Institute of the Black World
A disastrous earthquake has struck Haiti and the Haitian People Need Our Help Immediately. The Haitian American community is rapidly mobilizing to respond. As President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Founder of the Haiti Support Project HSP). I want to especially challenge African Americans and other people of African descent to respond with a generous tax deductible contribution to HSP's Haiti Relief Fund. -- Dr. Ron Daniels
A Message from Dr. Napoleon B. Higgins Jr. President of the Black Psychiatrists of America Inc.
Many of us are witnessing the devastation to the island of Haiti at this time. I've been fortunate to have visited Port au prince and done mission work in Haiti. It is a place of natural beauty and people. At the same time it is extremely poor. Many persons in Haiti are living on the edge of existence even before the earthquake and it is fact that this country is incapable of an adequate response. I say this knowing that the people of Haiti are extremely resilient and are doing all that is humanly possible. Even with their efforts, they will need an unprecedented amount of help.
Due to my love for that country and how I was highly impressed with the people and the depth of their need; as president I am asking BPA to in some way to help. There is an immediate need for emergency help. This country does not have the resources to do this. There will be a large need for medical and mental health disaster recovery.
If any of our members are Haitian I ask that you contact the BPA via our email BPA4info@aol.com.
National Medical Association Update on Haiti Crisis
Dear Colleagues,
Since our last update, we have heard from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the urgent need for trained physicians to help with the relief and recovery effort in Haiti.
The White House has indicated there is a great need for Creole-speaking medical professionals to deploy to Haiti in the next few days. Depending on specialties, there will be opportunities to work in existing hospitals, on the hospital ship USNS Comfort and at emergency field hospitals.
The call is for all Creole speaking personnel (doctors or nurses). However, the specialties most relevant to the crisis (such as general surgery, family, orthopedics, infectious disease, pediatrics, nutrition) will be prioritized.
Volunteers will need to be able to report to Miami.
Any medical professionals who speak Creole can sign up at the Center for International Disaster Information web site. To sign up, click here: http://dex.cidi.org/dstechas.aspx.
You would become "federalized" for the mission (work as part of the Federal government).
We continue to build our list of NMA volunteers. We are planning to partner with the coordinated Federal effort, as well as with other organizations that already have a footprint in Haiti. More details are forthcoming. If you are interested, please email haitirelief@nmanet.org with the following information:
Name:
Phone:
Email:
French/Creole fluency:
Specialty:
Availability:
Thank you for your patience as we are responding to your requests as quickly as possible.
We are also receiving donations on the NMA website:http://www.nmanet.org/index.php/HaitiRelief/donateform
Thank you for your overwhelming outpouring of support. We will continue to update you as information becomes available.
Sincerely,
Willarda V. Edwards, M.D., MBA
President
Psychosocial and Mental Health Experts Needed in Haiti with a UN team
Dear Colleagues,
One of the UN agencies is putting a team together of psychosocial and mental health experts to go to Haiti and help ASAP.
They are seeking counselors and experts who are bilingual with French or Spanish to provide support in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. If you are able to commit to a length of stay of at least 2 weeks or longer and have the requisite experience in disaster work, please contact by email:
Henia Dakkak, MD, MPH
UN Technical Specialist
Emergency Grants and Mental Health First Aid Training Available to Meet Mental Health Needs after Haiti Earthquake
Washington, DC (January 15, 2010)— The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council) is offering small emergency grants and free Mental Health First Aid training to support mental health efforts in the wake of the devastating Haiti earthquake.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti and with their loved ones in the U.S. We commend the efforts of many agencies and individuals that are providing disaster relief. Our pockets are not deep but we are standing by to help in any way we can,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council.
Through its Project Helping Hands, the National Council offers small grants to organizations working to meet the mental health needs of Haitian survivors and loved ones in the U.S. Since 2005, Project Helping Hands has supported behavioral healthcare organizations responding to emergency mental health and addictions treatment needs in the wake of disaster — hiring treatment staff, setting up emergency outreach offices, and purchasing medications and emergency equipment.
It is estimated that up to 25 to 30 percent of people in the most vulnerable communities experience the onset of trauma and mental disorders in the wake of disaster. These needs usually manifest several weeks to months after a disaster, as the reality of loss and displacement sinks in. Those with pre-existing serious mental illnesses may be traumatized anew or displaced and need extra care and support.
Haitian populations in the U.S., concerned about the safety and whereabouts of any loved ones in Haiti, may also be experiencing acute anxiety and stress reactions. Further, it is likely that the U.S. will see a significant influx of surviving Haitians over the coming months and a good number will likely experience mental health issues, in addition to the challenges of settling into a new culture.
Free Mental Health First Aid USA training is available for volunteers headed to help in Haiti in the coming months and for community groups and caring citizens working with Haitian populations in the U.S.
Mental Health First Aid USA — a collaboration of the National Council, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Missouri Department of Mental Health — equips members of the public with skills and resources to help someone developing a mental health problem or save someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Those trained in Mental Health First Aid can recognize the risk factors and warning signs of mental illness and connect persons in need with appropriate professional or other help, including peer and family support.
Those who wish to support the Haiti disaster mental health response may donate to the National Council’s Project Helping Hands.
A Message from Dr. Patricia Newton, BPA National President Elect-Haiti Assistance Resource Information
American Airlines is taking doctors and nurses to Haiti for free. Please call 212-697-9767 spread the word. Red Cross needs Creole speaking volunteers for a 24hr phone bank. Call 305-776-6900 ASAP.
Please pass this info on.......
Information for Medicare Providers
MediSys Health Network Offers Free Counseling to Community After Earthquake Devastates Haiti
To provide support to those affected by the devastating events in Haiti, the MediSys Health Network is offering free group and individual counseling at the following locations:
Brookdale Hospital Mental Health Clinic
One Brookdale Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11212
718-240-6168
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday—8:30am to 5:00pm
Tuesday, Thursday—8:30am to 8:00pm
Saturday—9:00am to 5:00pm
Flushing Hospital Mental Health Clinic
4500 Parson Blvd
Flushing, NY 11355
718-670-5562
Hours: Monday to Friday—9:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday—9:00am to noon
Jamaica Hospital Mental Health Clinic
8900 Van Wyck Expy
Jamaica, NY 11418
718-206-7217
Hours: Monday to Friday—9:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday—9:00am to 9:00pm
Brookdale Hospital Family Care Center
1095 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
718-240-8500
Please call for hours
While appointments are not necessary, the network encourages individuals to call before visiting.
 APA Website Resources for Haiti Disaster Recovery
Disaster Psychiatry :
First Responders and Healthcare Responders
Providing Assistance to Victims
Disaster Mental Health Materials
See these sites for more information:
http://www.psych.org/
http://www.centerforthestudyoftraumaticstress.org/
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/
Tip Sheet on Haitian Culture
The following is intended to provide basic background information on relevant aspects of Haitian culture for those volunteer and professional responders who may become involved in assisting survivors of the recent earthquake, or their friends and families living in the U.S. This overview is by no means comprehensive and those likely to have extensive contact are urged to seek out additional information on cultural competency. In addition, these tips include broad generalizations about cultural values and practices that may not apply to every person of Haitian background, so helpers are encouraged to recognize and respect individual differences in those you are assisting.
To view, click here.
All Healers Mental Health Alliance and Institute of the Black World 21st Century Declaration of Intent
African American adoption
agencies have a collective interest in being a resource for the children who
are homeless and/or without custodial care in Haiti. We are concerned both about
their vulnerability and the associated dangers and also about the negative
repercussions of well intended, yet misguided efforts to provide alternatives
for the children of Haiti
who are in need of care. We also wish to
express support for Haitian policies, consistent with Haitian culture and
tradition, which would ensure Haitian children’s optimal development and
healing in mind, body and spirit; considering the trauma experienced by the
devastating earthquake over and above the day to day suffering we know has
existed in Haiti.
To read the full Declaration of Intent and see a list of participating organizations, click here.
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