The SUNY New Paltz Institute of Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) hosted its 12th annual conference on Friday, April 17. Entitled “Preparing for the Health and Mental Health Consequences of Climate Change,” the conference brought to campus internationally-recognized researchers and practitioners in emergency management, health and mental health services for a day of programming designed to nurture realistic conversations about the interplay between climate change and public health.
“We take seriously our role as a public university in convening events that bring people together to learn from each other and share ideas on important topics that affect our society’s future,” said President Donald P. Christian. “We’re all very proud of the Institute and its mission of bridging the gap between academics and practice, by providing students, community members, first responders and other helping practitioners with the tools and information they need for the prevention, preparation and care of others following a disaster.”
This year’s conference paid particular attention to extreme weather events and how they have impacted and are expected to continue to impact the Hudson Valley and the state.
“As the realities of climate change have become undeniable, there’s been a great deal of focus on the need to adapt our physical infrastructure,” said James Halpern, director of the IDMH. “But the presentations at today’s event make it clear that we need to work just as hard to adapt our health and mental health preparations at both individual and collective levels. Fortunately, today’s conference also demonstrates that experts in the field are developing truly innovative interventions to help our community members cope with our changing world.”
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“In my view, the Institute of Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz is a national treasure,” said Congressman Chris Gibson, representative for the 19th District of New York, who presented opening remarks at the conference. “I say that from the vantage point of being a member of Congress, but also from the vantage point of someone who has served our country and seen trauma along the way.”
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The conference included keynote addresses from speakers including Nicole Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, George Luber, associate director for climate change in the Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects at the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Josef Ruzek, director, Dissemination and Training Division, National Center for PTSD.
The lectures were followed by professional development workshops in specific disaster intervention and response tactics, approaches to helping survivors rebuild social connections, and how communication technologies can be used as planning and counseling tools before, during and after a crisis.
About IDMH
Founded in 2004, the internationally recognized SUNY New Paltz Institute for Disaster Mental Health offers education and training in disaster mental health for students, professionals, and paraprofessionals that reflect recent research and best practices. The IDMH conference is the only one of its kind in New York State.
For more information visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/idmh.
