Per Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), disaster behavioral health (DBH) is the provision of mental, emotional, and substance use services and interventions for people and communities impacted by all types of disasters. DBH encompasses the delivery of behavioral health and stress management interventions to address and promote mental health, reduce substance misuse, and foster resilience and recovery.
Purpose: this webpage contains resources to assist with disaster behavioral health planning, preparedness, and response and is intended for agencies and organizations across Michigan in fields including emergency management, healthcare, behavioral health, and public health. There are also materials intended for distribution to support individuals, families, and first responders after a disaster. Finally, there is a link to a calendar of events for upcoming training/exercises, conferences, informational sessions, and more.
Agencies involved in disaster behavioral health planning and response include:
Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP)
CMHSPs are a primary local partner in meeting behavioral health needs related to a natural disaster or act of mass violence. CMHSPs operate as the local behavioral health services provider as set forth in the Michigan Mental Health Code. CMHSPs are responsible, in partnership with other local response agencies/organizations, for assessing the psychological impact of the disaster on victims and response personnel and coordination of Disaster Behavioral Health in collaboration with local emergency management. To meet this mission, CMHSPs designate a primary and alternate emergency preparedness coordinator (EPC). Click here for the directory of Michigan’s CMHSPs.
CMHSPs have an obligation to provide crisis services to Michiganders, regardless of the cause of the crisis. These crisis services can provide support for individuals and families who have crisis that may be related to natural disasters and acts of mass violence. Crisis services offered in local areas vary greatly across the state. MDHHS, in partnership with local CMHSPs, is building a more comprehensive standardized crisis system. Click here for more information about these services.
Regional Health Care Coalition (HCC)
Regional HCCs work with local partners within their regions to prepare hospitals, emergency medical services, and other healthcare organizations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents. They are committed to improving disaster behavioral health preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in Michigan through planning, education, training and exercising, and by promoting awareness of federal, state, and local behavioral health resources within their communities. Click here for contact information for each region.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
MDHHS supports locally led disaster behavioral health efforts by coordinating and facilitating the delivery of services from federal, state, and non-governmental partners. Its role is to provide resources and guidance that empower local agencies to lead effective behavioral health responses during emergencies and disasters.
Bureau of Specialty Behavioral Health Services
The Bureau of Specialty Behavioral Health Services oversees responsibilities under the Michigan Mental Health Code and Medicaid State Plan, administers federal block grants, and delivers Medicaid-funded services for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness, emotional disturbances, and substance use disorders through PIHPs, CMHSPs, and contracted providers to ensure broad consumer choice and control. Click here for more information about the Bureau of Specialty Behavioral Health Services.
Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS, and Systems of Care (BEPESOC)
BEPESOC protects the health of Michigan residents through continuous improvement of emergency medical services, time-sensitive care systems, and all-hazards preparedness, delivered via its two divisions: EMS and Systems of Care and Emergency Preparedness and Response. Click here for more information on BEPESOC.
MDHHS Division of Victim Services (DVS)
DVS advocates for all Michigan crime victims by offering support, resources, compensation, and expertise for disaster behavioral health efforts. DVS also provides crime victim compensation to victims of crime for expenses that qualify for coverage. Click here for more information on DVS.
Disaster Behavioral Health Planning at the State
The Michigan Mental Health Emergency Preparedness (MHEP) project is funded by SAMHSA through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The project aims to improve mental health emergency preparedness and crisis response following disasters.
Led by MDHHS staff across multiple bureaus and coordinated by the Michigan Public Health Institute, the planning team developed a four-part strategy continuing into FY26:
SAMHSA created a video series of 8 promising practices in disaster behavioral health planning to help develop and refine your plans.
The US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) developed a tool to help state and local agencies, as well as provider organizations, assess disaster behavioral health capacity and its integration into all planning, preparedness, response and recovery efforts.
This Annex details responsibilities, tasks, and operational actions that are needed to specifically respond to mass violence incidents. The contents focus on unique planning needs that incorporate victim services into 16 Best Practices determined as necessary to adequately prepare for a mass violence incident.
Effective toolkit that provides tools and resources for developing a comprehensive victim assistance plan that can be tailored to fit the needs of your community to prepare for and respond to victims of mass violence and terrorism.
This tip sheet walks through the timeline, function, and activities of the Friends and Relatives Center (FRC), Family Assistance Center (FAC), and Resiliency Center (RC).
This toolkit was developed on the premise that exposure to the traumatic experiences of other people—known as vicarious trauma—is an inevitable occupational challenge for many disaster response fields; however, organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects by becoming vicarious trauma-informed. The toolkit includes tools and resources tailored specifically to these fields that provide the knowledge and skills necessary for organizations to address the vicarious trauma needs of their staff.
Michigan State Police compiled several guides, plans, and checklists for individuals and families to prepare themselves, their homes, and their pets for disasters. These resources can be found in the Plan Ahead and Youth sections.
SAMHSA compiled information and created tools and resources on planning and community engagement to help inform climate change from a disaster behavioral health perspective.
Resources and information for special populations/communities to consider in planning including American Indians and Alaskan Natives, children in schools, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, people with access and functional needs, and rural communities.
NIMS provides stakeholders across the whole community with shared vocabulary, systems, and processes to successfully deliver the capabilities described in the National Preparedness System. Recommended courses:
ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction
IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
This course is relevant for new providers looking to be oriented to PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review of the PFA concepts. This is a free 5-hour course that offers 5 CEs upon completion.
This web-based course offers leaders and team members the opportunity to consider and pursue strategies for supporting colleagues during a disaster response as stress levels increase for workers and the demands on your organization become more urgent.
This course is for individuals who want to learn about using SPR, learning the goals and rationale of each core skill, delivering SPR, and supporting survivors in the aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event. This is a free 5-hour course that offers 5 CEs upon completion.
Utilize the Stress First Aid framework to improve recovery from stress reactions, in oneself and coworkers. The link contains training manuals, workbooks, guides, and slide decks for implementing Stress First Aid for Health Care Workers.
Self-care tools and modules for healthcare workers.
Cultural competency program for disaster preparedness and crisis response.
A needs assessment is the foundation for a disaster response program and is a continuous process necessary to ensure the relevance of the program for the duration of the effort.
Effective disaster response activities rely on flexible communications and information systems that provide a common operating picture to emergency management/response personnel and their affiliated organizations.
The development of outreach strategies in the wake of disasters stems from the knowledge that most people do not see themselves as in need of mental health or crisis intervention services even when they are experiencing distress symptoms after a traumatic event. Check out these creative outreach strategies and ideas.
Disaster behavioral health response programs can benefit from using print media to advertise program services, provide outreach to disaster survivors, and promote psychoeducation.
In addition to print materials, there are now many different communication vehicles that disaster behavioral health response programs can use. This link contains templates and guidance for messaging.
State/territory VOADs are associations of organizations that lead response efforts, communicate urgent needs to the wider National VOAD network, and provide assistance to communities affected by disaster.
Tip sheet for Victim Service Professionals to effectively serve victims during times of public crisis.
Resiliency Centers are a source of strength and healing for many communities that experience mass violence. Until a Resiliency Center can be established, the Virtual Resiliency Center provides an outlet for sharing essential information.
This page provides information about typical stressors, warning signs of excessive stress, individual approaches to stress management, and handouts for stress management techniques.
This page provides information about typical stressors, warning signs of excessive stress, individual approaches to stress management, and handouts for stress management techniques.
This is a free app that offers first responders immediate access for any type of traumatic event at every phase of response, including pre-deployment preparation, on-the-ground assistance, and post-deployment resources. With the app, responders can access resources including tip sheets, guides for responders, teachers, parents, and caregivers, and a directory of behavioral health service providers in the impacted area. Download in the Apple Store or Google Play.
Call, chat, or text 988, operating 24/7 365 days a year. 988 provides free, confidential emotional support for people in distress. This flyer is also available in Spanish. Dial 988 then Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Click here for a social media post.
Weekday phone, chat, or text-based referral helpline operated by the National Center for Victims of Crime where crime victims can learn about their rights and options confidentially and compassionately.
This resource provides information on what to expect in your personal, family, work, and financial life after a disaster, and provides some tips on what might help.
This fact sheet discusses tips on how to cope with grief after an incident of community violence.
This fact sheet provides tips for coping with stress during an infectious disease outbreak.
This fact sheet offers tips for preventing and managing stress when dealing with the effects of trauma, mass violence, or terrorism.
Includes self-help tips for coping after an incident of mass violence.
This resource provides tips for identifying a trauma-focused therapist to provide treatment following trauma or disaster.
Mobile app designed for those who have, or may have, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It provides education about PTSD, information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD.
Mobile app that provides resources and information about common reactions to mass violence incidents and strategies for recovery.
Tip sheet provided by NMVC that includes strategies that can help parents support their children in returning to more regular sleep patterns after a mass violent incident.
This resource offers guidance to help parents talk with children and youth after something scary or violent happens. Developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
This resource provides data and information on child trauma. Developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and SAMHSA.
Fact sheet provides information about how to talk to children about recent shooting. This tip sheet describes ways to talk to children about the shooting, including how to start the conversation, how to deal with incorrect information, limiting media exposure, common reactions, and when to seek help.
Reactions, responses, and examples of things to do and say for parents of school-age children.
Reactions, responses, and examples of things to do and say for parents of adolescents.
Reactions, responses, and examples of things to do and say for parents of preschool-age children.
Reactions, responses, and examples of things to do and say for parents of infants and toddlers.
Strategies to help parents and caregivers cope with collective trauma such as mass violence or other disasters.
Fact sheet provides an overview of how children and adolescents may react to a traumatic event, including a natural or man-caused disaster that they experience as traumatic. This resource describes typical reactions within specific age ranges and offers tips for families, doctors, and school personnel to help children and adolescents cope.
Tips for caregivers and educators in talking to children about mass violence.
Tip sheet to help parents, other caregivers, and teachers recognize and address problems in children and teens affected by disasters. The tip sheet describes reactions that are common in young survivors at different ages, as well as how to help children cope with these reactions.
Provided by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), this tip sheet describes the PRN approach to promotion of well-being. In addition to providing specific ways to engage in stress management, the tip sheet identifies sources of more information and support in coping. This tip sheet is available in Spanish.
Tip sheet for educators after a traumatic event.
Strategies to assist teachers and providers in self-care following trauma.
Fact sheet about how to talk to children about recent shooting. This tip sheet describes ways to talk to children about the shooting, including how to start the conversation, how to deal with incorrect information, limiting media exposure, common reactions, and when to seek help.
Tips for caregivers and educators in talking to children about mass violence.
Tip sheet to help parents, other caregivers, and teachers recognize and address problems in children and teens affected by disasters. The tip sheet describes reactions that are common in young survivors at different ages, as well as how to help children cope with these reactions.
Free, confidential, and secure crisis and resource line for first responders that can be accessed by calling 1-833-34-STRONG.
This guide offers information and tips to disaster responders and first responders to help them manage stress during crisis response.
This fact sheet offers tips to help disaster response workers transition back to routine work.
This printable brochure contains useful information to ease your transition and enhance the return to your usual work routine.
This printable brochure contains useful information to help you reunite with a deployed family member.
ASPR fact sheet for individual resilience for responders.
The Project SERV program funds short-term education-related services for local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to help them recover from a violent or traumatic event in which the learning environment has been disrupted. These grants are intended to provide a limited amount of funds to meet acute needs and restore the learning environment. Project SERV funds in response to most violent or traumatic events are managed by the Office of Safe and Supportive Schools. Project SERV funds in response to a major natural disaster are managed by the Disaster Recovery Unit. Local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) apply for this funding.
AEAP grants are by invitation only and potential grantees may be invited to submit an application only after consultation with OVC. These grants help federal, state, Tribal, and local authorities identify victim needs, coordinate victim services, develop response strategies, and address related issues. The state of Michigan (MDHHS) applies for and administers this grant.
The CCP is a short-term disaster relief grant program available for application by states, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribes. CCP funding provides additional assistance to address the behavioral health needs of disaster survivors through community-based outreach, crisis counseling, public education, resource and referral linkages, and other supportive behavioral health services to survivors of natural and man-made disasters. CCP grants are available for Presidentially declared emergencies. The state of Michigan (MDHHS) applies for and administers this grant.
SERG is designed to meet emergency substance use and mental health needs for communities impacted by an emergency and/or disaster precipitating event. SERG funding enables public entities to address these needs when existing resources are overwhelmed, and other resources are unavailable. SERG monies are considered “funds of last resort” and cannot supplant or replace other existing funds. The state of Michigan (MDHHS) applies for and administers this grant.
Click here to view the calendar of events.
