As disasters increase, mental health support is critical

Posted on October 10, 2022 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

On World Mental Health Day please consider volunteering with the Red Cross

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, which seeks to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in its support. This year’s theme is, “Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority.” This universality and humanity are part of the American Red Cross’s mission, and in my various capacities as a volunteer, I have glimpsed how needed and effective Red Cross mental health services are.

September 18, 2001. Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon. Photo by Hector Emanuel/American Red Cross

As we deal with climate change, disasters of increasing frequency and severity, public health emergencies, and other issues, mental health is vital. And professional mental health is especially effective after a major disaster, as we are currently seeing in the aftermath of
Hurricanes Ian and Fiona.

Following a major disaster, Red Cross disaster mental health workers work in shelters and the community to help promote resiliency and good coping skills. They meet with people in need of short-term psychological care to help reduce stress and provide tools to cope. They can also help connect people with resources in the community for longer-term care when needed. Additional mental health professionals provide on-call phone support to those impacted as well as first responders.

Using Hurricane Ian as a recent example, on October 4th, a week after the hurricane made landfall, more than 2,000 people sought refuge in nearly 20 Red Cross and partner shelters across Florida. And to give scope of the tens of thousands in need of assistance, 142,000 meals were provided that day. Mental health professionals are part of a Red Cross team of over 1,500 currently supporting relief efforts in the area.

Northern Ohio volunteers Arden Tohill and Deb Day delivered hot meals yesterday in Cape Coral, FLA. They are traveling with Colorado volunteer Larry Ralston in the Emergency Response Vehicle that is normally used to respond to disasters in the Akron area. It’s one of nearly 120 ERVs being used to deliver food, water and relief supplies to the residents who have lost so much because of Hurricane Ian. 112,000 meals were provided yesterday alone, thanks to our partners with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief.

Other disasters, like home fires, also seriously impact mental health. Each day, the Northern Ohio Disaster Response team assists with comfort and caring as well as ensuring those aided have food, shelter, and medicine. When further mental health assistance is needed, they work to provide it, and mental health professionals are a key part of the team.

As we reported last month, additional mental health volunteers are needed. Those eligible include currently licensed mental health professionals, current school psychologists and school counselors, current psychiatric nurses, and retired mental health professionals.

Gail Wernick, Regional Volunteer Services Officer, shared the need for mental health
professionals to volunteer with the Red Cross in Northern Ohio, “Every day, the Red Cross sees the heartbreak of people coping with the effects of natural disasters. The need for compassionate volunteers has never been greater. This October, in recognition of World Mental Health Day, we invite licensed mental health providers to join us to volunteer. You will use your professional skills to deliver mental health support, so others don’t have to face tough times alone.” To get started, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

The World Health Organization has more on World Mental Health Day here.

The Northern Ohio regional Red Cross site has links to explore volunteer opportunities, provide financial support, and give blood.

Volunteers continue to provide Red Cross disaster health services during coronavirus outbreak

Posted on March 20, 2020 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Renee Palagyi, Senior Disaster Program Manager

It seems that all we hear of late is “COVID-19,” and many wonder if it has taken the place of our normal American Red Cross activities. It has NOT! Residents experiencing fires continue to be assisted both on scene and in follow-up casework.

I am taking a moment today to emphasize the work being done by our incredible Disaster Health Services team. This group of volunteer nurses—most of whom are still employed full-time in roles ranging from pediatrics to geriatric nurse practitioner—continue to help our disaster clients who have lost medications, durable medical equipment, glasses, etc. We have new graduates, retirees and everyone in between, each bringing his or her personal gift of nursing knowledge and caring to bear through remote client contact.

Renee Palagyi

Beginning March 14, several members of the team took on an additional task of “Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responder Screening.” Each responder in the Northeast Ohio region was called and asked a series of questions, provided guidelines on increased virus risk based on certain medical conditions and asked if they were still willing to continue to respond to clients in need. The professional approach of our nurses helped allay fears while providing solid information based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Not surprising, but certainly incredibly gratifying, was the response we received from those volunteers screened. Overwhelmingly, in fact, approximately 90% stated their willingness to continue as DAT responders in the face of this pandemic. The majority of those not able to respond during this crisis were screened out by our nurses for medical reasons, not by their fears of becoming ill. They noted they felt reassured by the client screening process we have in place and the knowledge that Red Cross has at heart the well-being of our strongest asset, our volunteers.

We are all in this for the long haul, and I am pleased to lead this team of dedicated nurses who continue to give their time despite their own increased work and personal demands.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Disaster mental health volunteer helps people cope and heal after devastating losses

Posted on October 10, 2019 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Jason Copsey, American Red Cross volunteer

October 10, 2019- After Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the U.S. Virgin Islands in September 2017, the American Red Cross deployed volunteers to help provide food, clothing and shelter for impacted residents. Alongside these basic needs, the Red Cross deployed specialized volunteers trained to help individuals navigate the difficult emotional and psychological aftermath of a traumatic experience.

Adrienne Ford was one of the disaster mental health volunteers deployed to the Virgin Islands. Ford, a retired teacher and school counselor, joined the Red Cross as a volunteer in 2014 after learning about disaster mental health at a conference for school counselors. As an independently licensed counselor, Ford saw in the Red Cross an opportunity to continue practicing while serving those in need.

California Wildfires 2018

“The first time the Red Cross called on me to provide services was in response to the California wildfires in 2014,” said Ford. “There was a massive shelter set up at the Napa Valley fairgrounds. So many people had run for their lives with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”

Disaster mental health volunteers tend to the emotional trauma people experience after a disaster. They play a critical role in the delivery of the Red Cross mission by providing support, comfort and hope to people impacted by incidents of all sizes, from home fires to natural disasters.

California Wildfires 2017

“Ultimately, people want to tell their stories to begin the healing process,” said Ford. “As mental health workers, we know how to ask the right questions for people to begin telling the story of what they have been through. The anxiety that comes from living through a near- death experience is considerable and depression can often follow.”

During her Virgin Islands deployment, Ford encountered families that were continuing to live in severely damaged homes instead of shelters. Working as part of medical teams consisting of a nurse, mental health advocate and a case worker, Ford would visit families and monitor for risk factors.

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“There was one family we had seen a few times and were continuing to check on,” said Ford. “I had talked with the mother several times about her experience. Half of her house had collapsed during the storm. Her son, a teenager, had been trapped in part of the house, and for a period of time she feared the worst.”

While Ford was able to connect with the mother, the son was less forthcoming. Over time, Ford was able to build trust with the child.

Texas Floods 2019

“We talked about sports and things he was interested in,” says Ford. “Little by little, he let me ask him questions about his experience. He started telling me about what it was like for him to have been alone and the fear he had experienced.”

As first responders, Red Cross volunteers are often the connection between individuals and community resources and local agencies. Mental health volunteers are critical in this role, as trauma can easily trigger harmful tendencies for those without adequate coping skills. The early intervention of a Red Cross mental health volunteer can be a key factor in the recovery process.

Oroville Dam Spillway Compromised 2017

Ford said that over her five years as a Red Cross volunteer, it is the firsthand experience of individuals helping one another that has been most rewarding.

“The way communities respond to disasters renews your faith in humanity,” said Ford. “People really do take care of each other.”

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Volunteers provide disaster relief for hidden concerns

Posted on October 10, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By: Eric Alves, Regional Communications Specialist, American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio

The American Red Cross continues to assist residents affected by hurricanes in the Southeast. Among the disaster relief workers who are playing a role are mental health volunteers.

Red Cross mental health volunteers are a treasured group of individuals. They are all licensed independent health practitioners: psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers and psychiatric registered nurses.

California Wildfires 2018

In addition to being licensed professionally, mental health volunteers must take specialized Red Cross training in disaster mental health which, for the most part, is far different than what they do in their daily full-time jobs. The specialized training is based on many years of experience in disaster relief, from those who have lost precious mementos in a home fire to the victims of 9/11 and everyone in between.

Red Cross mental health volunteers provide immediate crisis management. They instruct clients in becoming more resilient and help them cope with the various emotions they may experience following their loss. While mental health volunteers do not do long-term counseling, if they determine a client would benefit from long-term intervention, they will make a referral to a proper mental health specialist. They will not refer the client to themselves or to any other member of the team.

California Wildfires 2017

“Many victims and survivors do not recognize the need for intervention or do not want to be judged or labeled if they are struggling with recovery,” said Renee Palagyi, senior program manager of disaster cycle services for the American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio. “Our disaster mental health volunteers can help them to recognize the normal and destigmatize the need for counseling.”

Northeast Ohio is particularly fortunate to have some of the finest and most experienced mental health volunteers. They never fail to step up as needed even though the majority have full-time positions or time-consuming private practices.

Edgardo Padin, a mental health volunteer from Northeast Ohio, deployed to assist in the 2018 California wildfires. Recently, he discussed his experience assisting individuals who lost their homes with their mental health needs.

Tennessee Wildfires 2016

While it is easy to see the physical damage that a home fire or a hurricane can cause, it is not often as easy to see the internal effects a disaster can have on an individual. On World Mental Health Day, it is important to recognize the disaster mental health volunteers who assist with disaster relief efforts to ensure everyone’s needs are met.

For more information on the Red Cross’ disaster mental health services or to become a volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

Psychologist Deploys to California to Assist Wildfire Victims

Posted on September 4, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

His expertise with PTSD counselling helped residents cope with losses

Disaster Mental Health volunteer Edgardo Padin

Edgardo Padin is a clinical psychologist who helps treat veterans in the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System. This experience made him a valuable member of the volunteer team that responded to the wildfires in California this summer.

This was Ed’s first deployment as an American Red Cross disaster mental health worker. He wasn’t quite sure what his role would be, as he explained in an interview recorded shortly before he left for California.

Shortly after arriving, Ed found himself in a Red Cross shelter, counseling people who had just lost their homes and all of their belongings.

“I did a lot of talking to people,” he said. “I calmed them down and gave them some idea of what was happening by showing them how the fire was going on my iPad. Information was really important to them.”

Ed said that while he did provide a lot of mental health services, it wasn’t the only thing he did during his 10-day deployment.

“We had a Norovirus outbreak that we just had to work at and maintain so that it wouldn’t spread throughout the entire shelter,” he explained. “We collaborated with the University of Santa Cruz, which sent EMTs to help us. They worked 24-hour shifts just like we did.”

Emily Probst, the Regional Workforce Engagement Manager of the Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region, said Ed’s skills made him a very valuable volunteer.

“We are so thankful that Ed offered his immense expertise to help people affected by this crisis,” she said. “I have no doubt his work in California made a difference in the lives of the people he touched.”

Volunteers are needed every day to respond to local disasters like home fires and to deploy to wildfires, hurricanes and other national disasters. Visit redcross.org/neo and click on Volunteers at the top of the page to volunteer to help people in need.

In an interview upon his return, Ed said his first deployment as a Red Cross volunteer was a gratifying experience. “In the end, I felt like I did something that was wonderful. I did something that was helpful. It was a great adventure, and I certainly would do it again.”

Mental Health Services Offered to Disaster Victims

Posted on October 10, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Kim Kroh, Executive Director, Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter

Did you know that the Red Cross offers mental health services to those who suffer from disasters? In the last seven weeks, Red Cross volunteers have provided more than 180,000 mental health and health services to support and care for those affected by hurricanes this season.

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10th every year. Kim Kroh, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Executive Director of the Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter, has worked with trauma victims for two decades. She offers this observation:

Disasters in general can be very traumatizing for the individuals involved. They may lose everything they own and possibly even the life of a family member. Trauma processing can take place with the support of family and friends but often it requires professional intervention, especially to avoid long lasting mental health difficulties resulting from unprocessed trauma.

Shootings and other acts of violence will cause trauma and often Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the individuals involved in the violent act. In these situations, encouraging survivors to seek counseling would be most beneficial.

Licensed mental health professionals are among the volunteers who respond to disasters, from hurricanes to home fires. For more information about volunteering for the Red Cross, visit our website at redcross.org/neo.

So Much Has Happened…

Posted on October 3, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By: Renee Palagyi, Senior Program Manager for Disaster Cycle Services in NEO (pictured on the left)

So much has happened since yesterday afternoon.

Yesterday, we were notified of the need for leadership staff to deploy to the tragedy in Las Vegas.

Since I have background in mass casualty, and am a registered nurse, I said that I would go to Las Vegas, if needed.

I called my husband to say, “what do you think?” As usual, he was more than supportive of what my feelings were regarding where I could be most useful.

Then the waiting began.

My first experience in mass casualty was without much training and it was difficult, in more ways than I thought possible. Red Cross has come a long way in how we provide care, not only for the clients but for our own workforce, in these large-scale tragedies. I kept looking over my training, making sure that I was ready for what could, potentially, lay ahead.

It was hard to get to sleep last night with so many thoughts moving through my mind. First, and foremost, was the horrific loss of life in Las Vegas. I know, from past work, that even two deaths can be a challenge to work through. I thought of the many people who knew and loved the more than 50 people who had died. I am always concerned if I am “up to the task,” but in these circumstances, being adept is critical. I wondered if I could be supportive and compassionate while not getting personally involved. I wondered if I had the right volunteers in place, here at home, to cover the work I already do each day and the special things on my schedule. I wondered if people would be upset that I was leaving while they were staying behind. I wondered if I would sleep at night (since I don’t sleep well when I’m away)…lots and lots of thoughts!

I think I looked at the clock every hour…………and I still hadn’t been assigned to the job!

This morning I got the email I had hoped for around 7 a.m. As part of the checks and balances process of deploying with the Red Cross, you are not confirmed to the assignment until you have been cleared by a disaster mental health specialist (DMH). Each operation is given hardship codes – special codes that help us determine what potential physical or mental hazards exist on the ground and what volunteers could experience. For this operation, one code is “extreme emotional experience”. So I had to face questions such as: have you experienced a recent death of a close friend or family member? Have you ever worked in a situation of this type? What type of support system do you have?

Once I spoke with the DMH screener, I made my airline reservation. I called my husband to tell him the time of my flight tomorrow and we planned to have a great dinner tonight. I sent a note to my four adult children so they can start asking questions for which I have no answers.

I doubt that I will sleep again tonight.

My flight is at 9:45a.m., and I will be in Las Vegas at 11:15 a.m.

Prayers and thoughts are appreciated for those on the ground, and for all who will do this work.

Restoring Courage and Hope

Posted on September 19, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Psychologist Volunteers to Help People During Their Darkest Hours

Kriss Wyant

By EILENE E. GUY
American Red Cross volunteer

CLEVELAND – “Volunteering with the American Red Cross in general, and for me in particular, represents a profound privilege. It doesn’t take long to realize how close we all are to needing help,” says Kriss Wiant.

A psychologist by profession and a humanitarian by nature, Kriss finds valuable perspective and rich reward as a disaster mental health volunteer.

With more than 20 years of experience helping children, adults and families in conventional clinical settings, Kriss was looking for what he calls “innovative applications of psychology.” A chance encounter with a Red Cross Disaster Action Team member led him to join that group, responding to home fires, floods or tornadoes across the Greater Cleveland area.

“Connecting people with primary resources – food, shelter, essential medications – that goes a long way to helping people in their time of acute need,” he says.

Eventually, Kriss – who makes his home in Brecksville – decided to make himself available for deployment to larger-scale disasters beyond the Buckeye State. Of the nine major relief operations he has traveled to, most have been related to tornadoes or hurricanes. Although working conditions can be challenging and stress levels high, Wiant knows how to make a difference.

“The unifying need among those traumatized by a disaster is the loss of courage, the loss of hope,” he says in the gentle, knowing tone of someone who understands trauma as both a doctor of psychology and a first-hand observer. “So what we do is restore courage, restore hope. Most of us can do that, even just by our presence.”

Kriss believes that even the untrained individual can offer psychological first aid. “You are standing on the shore for someone in the deep,” he says. “The only question is, how far can you wade in to reach that person.”

In the wake of a tragedy as dramatic as the May 2013 tornado that killed 24 people – including nine children – and caused an estimated $2 billion in property damage in Moore, Okla., Kriss was part of a large Red Cross mental health outreach to families of those who lost their lives or were seriously injured.

Some people, he found, had the emotional stamina to surround themselves with family, friends and faith; others he pointed toward local resources for longer-term professional support.

At the same time, he watches for signs of stress among the Red Cross responders who work long hours and interact with clients in often-devastating situations. He encourages workers to talk, to share their experiences. “That can be very therapeutic ,” he says.

Kriss is one of some 300 Red Cross disaster volunteers across the 22 counties of Northeast Ohio. Most respond to local disasters or participate in prevention activities such as Operation Save-a-Life, installing thousands of smoke alarms. Those with the time, training and experience can volunteer to respond farther from home.

In addition to his work helping people affected by disasters, Kriss provides Service to the Armed Forces. In fact, he is one of 5 recipients of the Vega Award, given annually to individuals or groups that have performed outstanding service in a department/line of service for the Greater Cleveland Chapter. Kriss was honored for his on-going support to the military community, helping to develop Reconnection Workshop-type materials that have been used in two pilot projects with the Troop and Family Assistance Center, as well as with the Ohio Army National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program. The workshops aim to provide coping and reunification skills to family members of National Guard recruits who are preparing to leave for basic training or Advanced Individualized Training, as well as educate families on a board range of services within the military community and via the Red Cross. In addition, Kriss makes follow up calls to those who have utilized the Red Cross Emergency Communication services, completes home visits to local veterans, and is a Reconnection Workshop Facilitator.

Other Vega Award winners, honored on Saturday, September 17, are Rita Szymczak, Mark Cline, Rhoda Seifert, and SAF Reconnetion Workshop Facilitators Tom Adams, Lynne Wiseman, Jackie Otte, and Kathy Parsons.

Visit the Greater Cleveland Chapter Facebook Page to see a photo gallery from the Volunteer Recognition Event.

To learn more about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross – including Service to the Armed Forces, health and safety education, and blood services – visit www.redcross.org/neo and click on “volunteer.”

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

Category Archives: Mental Health Services