The Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster is charged with:
- Recommending and encouraging working local district liaisons for psychiatric responses to disasters, including those resulting from a range of human generated and natural disaster events.
- Assisting the Medical Director’s Office in provision of consultation and identification of resources for local and national responses in times of national disasters.
- Encouraging greater visibility for psychiatry and psychiatrists in organized disaster relief efforts and support efforts that accomplish this goal.
- Recommending liaisons with medical, academic, federal, state and local organizations and agencies to facilitate disaster mental health preparedness, response and recovery.
- Identifying experts to support future disasters (e.g., media contacts as well as volunteers) and connect them with Communications staff.
- Acting as a resource for educational and scientific materials and interventions to support affected communities, including persons with mental illness, in times of disasters.
- Providing consultation to leadership in their efforts to support members, district branches, and persons with mental illness.
Term
Three years; volunteer leaders will be eligible for reappointment for an additional three year term at the conclusion of their first term.