Disaster Behavioral Health Resources
DTAC resources provide helpful information to professionals in the disaster behavioral health field.
SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS)
The SAMHSA DBHIS contains resources and toolkits in disaster behavioral health. Resources focus on specific populations, disaster types, or other topics pertinent to disaster behavioral health preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Dialogue
The Dialogue is a quarterly electronic newsletter that provides practical and down-to-earth information for disaster behavioral health coordinators, local service providers, federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations.
To volunteer to author an article for an upcoming issue, please email SAMHSA DTAC or call 1–800–308–3515.
SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin
The SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin is a monthly e-communication that is used to share updates in the field, post upcoming activities, and highlight new resources. If you would like to receive monthly communications or contribute an item for an upcoming issue, please email SAMHSA DTAC.
SAMHSA DTAC Supplemental Research Bulletin
The purpose of the SAMHSA DTAC Supplemental Research Bulletin is to provide practitioners, planners, and other responders a summary of the most recently published research and literature reviews. Each of the Supplemental Research Bulletins will highlight a number of chosen articles related to a specific topic of interest. To view past issues, please visit the SAMHSA DTAC Supplemental Research Bulletin Archive.
DTAC Tip Sheets
DTAC offers several tip sheets to help first responders and survivors after disasters and traumatic events. Spanish and Punjabi versions are also offered, when available:
For First Responders and Healthcare Professionals
- Tips for Healthcare Professionals: Coping With Stress and Compassion Fatigue – 2020 (Spanish – 2021)
- Tips for Health Care Practitioners and Responders: Helping Survivors Cope With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event – 2017
- Helping Staff Manage Stress When Returning to Work: Tips for Supervisors of Disaster Responders – 2014 (Spanish)
- Tips for Disaster Responders: Cultural Awareness When Working in Indian Country Post Disaster – 2022
- Tips for Disaster Responders: Returning to Work – 2014 (Spanish)
- Tips for Disaster Responders: Understanding Compassion Fatigue – 2014 (Spanish)
- Tips for Disaster Responders: Understanding Historical Trauma and Resilience When Responding to an Event in Indian Country – 2022
For Survivors
- Coping With Grief after a Disaster or Traumatic Event – 2017
- Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks – 2014 (Spanish – 2016)
- How to Cope With Sheltering in Place – 2014 (Spanish – 2016)
- Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak – 2020 (Spanish – 2016)
- Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks – 2020 (Spanish – 2020)
- Tips for College Students: After a Disaster or Other Trauma – 2013 (Spanish – 2014)
- Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Coping with Retraumatization - 2017 (Spanish – 2021)
- Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress – 2007 (Spanish – 2013, Punjabi – 2012)
- Tips for Survivors of a Pandemic: Managing Stress – 2020 (Spanish – 2021)
- Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After Community Violence – 2014
- Tips for Survivors: Coping With Anger After a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event – 2019
- Tips for Young Adults: Coping with Mass Violence – 2022
Disaster Response Template Toolkit
The Disaster Response Template Toolkit features guidance and templates for disaster behavioral health programs. Materials are designed to help with program management and with making people aware of your program and its services, common disaster reactions, and coping strategies. Templates are provided for printed materials, as well as public service announcements and social media. To access the toolkit, visit the Disaster Response Template Toolkit home page.
DTAC Posters, Flyers, and a Wallet Card
DTAC offers several posters, flyers, and a wallet card to help educate survivors about disaster reactions.
Have You Experienced a Disaster? (Spanish 2020)
Disaster survivors are not always aware of behaviors in themselves or others that are associated with adverse reactions to a disaster. This poster assists adult disaster survivors with identifying possible disaster reactions and provides resources to turn to for help.
Have You and Your Family Been Affected by a Disaster? (Spanish 2020)
Parents and caregivers may not always understand and be able to identify behaviors in children and youth that are associated with adverse reactions to a disaster. This poster provides information on possible adverse reactions in children as well as where to get help.
Feeling Stressed or Anxious About the COVID-19 Pandemic? (Spanish 2020)
This flyer provides information and tips for coping during a pandemic as well as resources for additional assistance.
Are You Working to Help People Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic? (Spanish 2020)
This flyer highlights key Psychological First Aid concepts and resources disaster responders and outreach workers may use when assisting individuals affected by the pandemic. It also provides resources for further assistance.
Tips for Managing Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Spanish 2020)
This wallet card provides stress reduction tips and techniques as well as sources of additional assistance.
DTAC Guides
DTAC offers guides to assist outreach workers, disaster responders, and public officials during disasters.
Communicating in a Crisis: Risk Communication Guidelines for Public Officials
This guide provides public officials as well as others involved in disaster and emergency communications with information about effective communication, working with the media, using social media, and addressing errors and controlling rumors.
Helping Older Adults After Disasters: A Guide to Providing Support
Outreach workers often work with older adults after disasters. This guide will help prepare staff for encounters with this population by describing common disaster reactions and providing tips and resources.