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Since its founding soon after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz has held an annual conference to provide New York’s front-line responders, emergency managers, clinical practitioners, and disaster relief volunteers with critical access to information on best practices in the field of disaster mental health. The need for this cross-disciplinary approach to training and planning, which fosters a coordinated response across the fields of disaster management and mental health, has never been clearer than during the Covid-19 pandemic. Given the global stress and anxiety surrounding the outbreak and other ongoing disasters, it’s essential now to revisit the lessons that have been learned during the past 20 years, and to further disseminate insights from 9/11, countless natural disasters, and escalating mass shootings, as well as the broader issues around racial inequities and social justice.

Using cutting-edge event presentation technology from BeaconLive, this two-day virtual conference will bring together expert presenters from across the country to review how much we’ve learned about incorporating mental health needs into emergency response, and to look ahead to where we can – and must – go from here. Among numerous other topics, sessions will include panels on the evolution of the practice of disaster mental health over the past 20 years, the needs of frontline workers throughout the pandemic, the challenges of responding to acute disasters during the pandemic, and the need for leadership and change management under rapidly evolving circumstances. Nationally renowned mental health clinicians will tackle topics including complex grief, supporting children and families through crises, treating trauma in ethnic populations, and addressing vicarious trauma among responders. A final session will consider the future of race and mental health in the United States as we look toward the next wave of disaster mental health needs in an increasingly complex world. 

Continuing Education:

In order to receive continuing education credits for the main conference session, participants must attend the live synchronous event for both of the two days. No partial credit will be given.

6.75 to 7 Social Work Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with University at Albany School of Social Welfare. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0011.

7 Licensed Mental Health Counselor Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with UAlbany School of Social Welfare and School of Education. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare & School of Education, Continuing Education Program is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0039.

7 Psychology Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with UAlbany School of Social Welfare and School of Education. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychologists as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0028.

For each Reserved Clinical Session:

1.25 Social Work Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with University at Albany School of Social Welfare. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0011.

1.25 Licensed Mental Health Counselor Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with UAlbany School of Social Welfare and School of Education. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare & School of Education, Continuing Education Program is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0039.

1.25 Psychology Continuing Education hours are available through a partnership with UAlbany School of Social Welfare and School of Education. University at Albany, School of Social Welfare is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychologists as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0028.