Seeking Disaster Mental Health (DMH) Support
The Red Cross is continuing to recruit DMH workers to respond to the series of tornadoes and floods that have been occurring in several states and, once again, we are reaching out to our national professional mental health association partners to help us recruit licensed or certified DMH-eligible volunteers*.  At present, we are recruiting DMH workers in 5 states (there are 25 states with active disaster relief operations). Thanks to the recruitment assistance of our partners over the past two months, we have successfully recruited and deployed 454 DMH volunteers through our national deployment system.  We are very grateful for all your good work in helping us fill so many needed positions.

Regarding deployments, it is important for volunteers to consider that because of the number of and varying needs on relief operations, it is not possible to determine in advance which disaster relief operation volunteers will be sent to until their actual deployment.  Also, volunteers are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of being assigned to a position where work with survivors is limited (e.g. provide staff mental health support away from affected areas).    

While current recruitment efforts are underway, the nature of disaster response is ever-changing.  The need to fill open positions for DMH volunteers can vary from day-to-day and across the affected areas.  On large-scale operations, there is often a need for second or third waves of volunteers that can provide a continuity of support after the first wave of volunteers has completed its assignment. In general, it is helpful for DMH volunteers to be in regular contact with their local chapter because there will be future disasters where their support may be needed.

Volunteering in your local community
Local volunteers may be called upon to provide mental health support to volunteers going on national disaster assignments or to Red Cross chapter workers and volunteers who may be experiencing increased stress due to the pressures of coordinating the response to national disaster relief operations while still responding to the ongoing needs of their local community.  To volunteer in your local community:

• Find the Red Cross chapter closest to you, please go to the Chapter Locater website at www.redcross.org
• Please be aware that mental health volunteers will be expected to first complete Red Cross-specific training to prepare them for their volunteer roles and to ensure the safety and welfare of Red Cross clients and volunteers as well as those from partnering agencies
• A health status record and background check will also be required.
• Be prepared for there to be a waiting period before Red Cross training is available and before you can provide DMH support in your local community. 

Volunteering outside your local community}
If you are interested and available for a national deployment for 10 days to 3 weeks:

• Please contact your local Red Cross chapter. To find the Red Cross chapter closest to you, please go to the Chapter Locater website at www.redcross.org
• As discussed above, please be prepared for the possibility that the Red Cross will not be actively recruiting out-of-state DMH volunteers at the time you approach the local chapter.
• It is hard to ensure that every worker at each of our 600 chapters is aware of the national recruitment efforts being coordinated through the national mental health associations, so please approach your chapter with that in mind.
• Prior to deploying on a national assignment, mental health volunteers must be registered as Red Cross volunteers and will be required to complete Red Cross-specific training to prepare them for their volunteer roles and to ensure the safety and welfare of Red Cross clients and volunteers as well as those from partnering agencies.
• A health status record and background check will also be required.
• Be prepared for there to be a waiting period before Red Cross training is available and before you can deploy out of state.
• While you are waiting, any help you can provide to your local community and Red Cross chapter will be of great help.  (In special circumstances, you may be notified of alternative training arrangements).

Volunteer mental health professionals should be prepared to:

• Be patient and flexible. Preparing disaster relief workers to respond in the aftermath of disaster can be extremely challenging.  Mental health professionals should be prepared to register as volunteers with their local chapter.  This might entail completing the paperwork necessary to establish a volunteer relationship with the Red Cross and provide documentation that verifies their professional credentials = and training.  The Red Cross places high value in getting the right people, to the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time.
• Complete specific Red Cross training.  The Red Cross has a specific role in disaster response and disaster mental health volunteers are critical to carrying out that role.  Prior to utilizing mental health professionals in the Red Cross chapter or on a disaster relief operation outside their local community, volunteers must receive adequate training and information to prepare them to carry out their duties and responsibilities.  New volunteers may be required to take specific Red Cross training courses in Introduction to Disaster, Psychological First Aid, and Foundations in Disaster Mental Health in addition to others.
• Provide non-traditional mental health services.  In the aftermath of disaster, psychological first aid, triage, assessment and basic support are the most common and appropriate interventions.  Psychotherapy is not appropriate.  Instead, early intervention is primarily focused on assisting disaster survivors and response workers in meeting their most basic needs.  This includes helping people feel safe and secure, obtain food and water, address their physical health needs (first aid and acc=ess to their medications) and connect to their family, friends, and other social support networks.  Providing emotional comfort and support and h=elping individuals focus on their disaster-related needs is the most important mental health intervention volunteers can provide at this time.
• Support local Red Cross chapter activities.  Mental health volunteers can assist their local chapter with preparing Red Cross disaster relief works for out-of-state assignments, supporting the families of disaster relief workers out on assignment, providing supportive to those return=ing from disaster relief operations, and conducting media interviews on the common reactions individuals experience in the aftermath of disaster. =; Mental health workers may also be called upon to assist with other chapter support duties such as answering phones, preparing meals, filing, etc. While not typically considered traditional mental health services, helping out with these activities can go a long way to preserving the mental health of other Red Cross workers and staff.

If you are interested in volunteering at your local chapter or for a disaster relief operation outside your community, please contact the Red Cross closest to you.  To find your local Red Cross chapter go to the Chapter Locater website at www.redcross.org

Thank you for your interest in the Red Cross and for your patience and understanding with the fluid environment of disaster services.  If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact your local Red Cross chapter directly.

*DMH Eligibility Criteria (must be licensed in the state in which you live)

• Independently-licensed, master's level (or higher) mental health professionals
• State-licensed or state-certified school counselors and school psychologists
• RNs with a certification for psychiatric and mental health nursing to include RN-BC, PMHNP-BC or PMHCNS-BC.