Disaster Psychosocial Program

Summary

The Disaster Psychosocial Support (DPS) program, established in 2001, offers emotional, psychological, and practical support to disaster-affected communities in British Columbia. With over 200 trained volunteers, it provides psychological first aid, empowering individuals to cope and rebuild. The program also assists emergency management leaders and first responders, promoting community resilience and linking affected individuals to local resources for long-term recovery.

Takeaways

• 🚑 **Disaster's Psychological Impact**: After a disaster, people can experience confusion, overwhelm, anxiety, and may not know where to seek help.
• 👥 **Disaster Psychosocial Support Program**: There's a program with over 200 volunteers offering emotional, psychological, and practical support to disaster-affected individuals.
• 🏥 **Support for Emergency Personnel**: The program also supports emergency management leaders, first responders, and impacted workers.
• 🌐 **Provincial Reach**: The program operates across the province, with volunteers from various organizations.
• 📈 **Established in 2001**: The DPS program was formed in 2001 and is responsible for developing and integrating psychosocial strategies within emergency management.
• 🛠️ **Psychological First Aid Training**: DPS volunteers are trained in psychological first aid according to WHO guidelines.
• 📢 **Community Workshops**: The training is delivered through workshops, volunteer orientations, and exercises upon request.
• 🌉 **Response to Tragedies**: Volunteers have responded to various tragedies within the province and beyond.
• 📞 **How to Request Support**: Communities can request support by contacting local authorities, which triggers the DPS program.
• 🤝 **Collaboration with Community Leaders**: The DPS program collaborates with local leaders to assess and provide necessary support.
• 🔗 **Linking to Local Resources**: The program encourages community recovery by linking affected individuals to local resources for increased resilience and coping.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the Disaster Psychosocial Support (DPS) program?

The DPS program provides emotional, psychological, and practical support to community members affected by disasters, including emergency management leaders, first responders, and all impacted workers.

How many volunteers does the DPS program have?

The DPS program has over 200 volunteers across the province.

What type of training do DPS volunteers receive?

DPS volunteers are educated in psychological first aid in accordance with the World Health Organization.

When was the DPS program formed?

The DPS program was formed in 2001.

What is the role of the DPS program within emergency management in British Columbia?

The DPS program is responsible for the development, implementation, and integration of psychosocial strategies, frameworks, and policies within emergency management across BC.

How does the DPS program respond to disasters?

The DPS program responds to disasters by collaborating with community leaders on the ground, performing assessments to identify support needs, deploying volunteers, and providing psychological first aid.

What kind of support does the DPS program offer to communities?

The DPS program offers emotional, practical, and mental health support to communities affected by disasters.

How can a community request disaster psychosocial support from the DPS program?

A community can request disaster psychosocial support by initiating a call to their local authorities, which triggers the DPS program into action.

What is the ultimate goal of the DPS program in disaster response?

The ultimate goal of the DPS program is to empower people to maintain healthy coping strategies, rebuild their lives, and minimize the long-term psychosocial effects of a disaster.

How does the DPS program encourage community recovery after a disaster?

The DPS program encourages community recovery by linking affected individuals to local resources to increase resilience and healthy coping strategies.

How can one get more information about the DPS program or become a volunteer?

One can contact the DPS program for more information, community training, or to inquire about becoming a volunteer.