Citation

Jiménez Chávez JC, Viruet Sánchez E, Rosario Maldonado FJ, Ramos Lucca AJ, Barros Cartagena B. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Ponce Health Sciences University and Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2019.58

PMID

31429397

Abstract

Meteorological and even human-made disasters are increasing every year in frequency and magnitude. The passage of a disaster affects a society without distinction, but groups with social vulnerability (low socioeconomic status, chronic medical, or psychological conditions, limited access to resources) face the most significant impact. As a result, psychological and behavioral symptoms (eg, depression and anxiety) can ensue, making the immediate response of mental health services crucial. Secondary data from a database of a temporary healthcare unit were analyzed. A total of 54 records were reviewed to collect information; univariate and bivariate analyses were done. The purpose of this article is to present our experience regarding the incorporation of a mental health services model, with its respective benefits and challenges, into a temporary healthcare unit, after Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Language: en

Keywords

disaster response programs; disaster situations; integrated healthcare services; mental health services; mental health services program