The Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) at SUNY New Paltz has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health to support the creation and development of Disaster Mental Health Response Teams.
This grant – the largest in the IDMH’s history – affirms the Institute’s role as a leading partner working with government agencies to bolster mental health services and training in New York.
The funding will support a collaboration between IDMH, the Office of Mental Health and the state Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services.
Together they will create, train and support Disaster Mental Health Response Teams comprised of specially trained responders who will be available to deploy across the state should a large emergency or disaster occur, with a special focus on those living with serious mental illness.
“Disasters can have a profound impact on the mental well-being on communities and especially on those living with serious mental illness,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “This collaboration will help develop a concerted mental health approach to support communities and those living with mental health challenges in the aftermath of a wide-spread emergency.”
“In New York State, as across the nation, there exists a critical gap between the mental health needs created by all manner of large-scale emergencies and disasters, and the availability of a well-trained and equipped mental health system to meet those needs,” IDMH Executive Director Amy Nitza said. “This grant and the new Response Team will be key to bridging that gap, so that communities have access to the immediate and long-term support they need to make a full recovery and build resilience for the future.”
The initiative is funded through a Safer Communities Block Grant received by the Office of Mental Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The IDMH will use its allocation to develop and implement regular training and exercises for all Response Team members in each of New York’s 62 counties.
About the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz
The IDMH seeks to address the diversity of disaster mental health demands in the region, state, nation, and the global community so that all those impacted by disaster and trauma have access to the mental health support they need. To accomplish this goal, the IDMH provides leadership to advance the field of disaster mental health and trauma response through training, research, consultation, and service.
The IDMH offers programs for SUNY New Paltz students, including an undergraduate Disaster Studies minor and an Advanced Certificate in Trauma and Disaster Mental Health, as well as providing advisory services to the Student Resiliency Advocates peer support network.
IDMH also produces frequent programs for the broader community, including offerings designed to support professionals who work with children and for those who work with veterans and military service members.
More information is available at newpaltz.edu/idmh.
