Mission Disaster Psychiatry Outreach (DPO) mission is to alleviate suffering in the aftermath of disaster through the expertise and good will of psychiatrists. To fulfill this mission, DPO responds to catastrophes and provides education and training in disaster mental health to a range of professionals in the healthcare, public health and emergency management sectors. We:
DPO's activities are guided by its vision to prevent the development of mental illness after disaster. Founded in 1998 by four psychiatrists who took part in the mental health response to the crash of Swissair Flight 111 off the coast of Nova Scotia, DPO was incorporated in 1999 and received 501 (c) 3 status in 2000. DPO brings psychiatric care to victims at disaster sites. In response to the September 11th attacks we managed up to 650 volunteer psychiatrists who provided more than 7,500 hours of service and made more than 6,000 contacts with affected individuals at Ground Zero and the Family Assistance Center. Before the attacks on NYC in 2001, DPO provided emergency services after disasters such as the crash of Egypt Air Flight 990 in 1999 and the 2001 El Salvador earthquakes. The Board of DPO has also consulted with government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Mayor’s Emergency Operations Center. Starting in July 2002, DPO has worked collaboratively with The Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and The Mount Sinai-Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine to conduct mental health screenings, referrals, and long-term treatment to 9,000 workers and volunteers who participated in the rescue and recovery effort at the World Trade Center Site. With the end of this program in 2007, DPO will refocus its efforts on its core services educating psychiatrists and others in disaster response and ensuring that psychiatrists are part of all disaster response efforts across the country. Disaster Response and Clinical Services DPO trains and manages volunteer psychiatrists who can provide comprehensive, high quality care, such as emergency assessments, short-term pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments and referrals to long-term care through the existing mental health system in the aftermath of a disaster. DPO dispatched three teams of volunteers to Sri Lanka since January 2005 to assist in the response to the tsunami. Local Sri Lankan counselors and community leaders have been trained in mental health skills specific to trauma and disaster. Following Hurricane Katrina, DPO organized four teams of psychiatrists who worked in collaboration with the Capital Area Human Services District in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. DPO also worked with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at the Disaster Assistance Service Center in New York City, where 30 psychiatrists worked 51 volunteer shifts and treated 64 people. Education DPO is dedicated to furthering education and understanding of disaster psychiatry through educational activities. In 2004 DPO held the 4th International Congress on Disaster Psychiatry in Miami, Florida, providing a forum for professionals to share knowledge and best practices. Several training programs have been developed including a 7-hour general course on disaster psychiatry targeted for psychiatrists, a three-hour course developed for emergency department staff on general disaster mental health, developed with funding from HRSA, and a two-hour workshop on stress for international aid workers from non-governmental agencies working in catastrophic situations. DPO’s co-founders, Dr. Anand Pandya and Dr. Craig Katz, have edited two books: Disaster Psychiatry: Intervening When Nightmares Come True, which describes the personal experiences of psychiatrists in the role of humanitarians and disaster responders, andDisaster Psychiatry: A Closer Look, which documents the academic and scientific knowledge at the foundation of disaster psychiatry. DPO’s work has led to publications in a number of journals. Other Projects DPO is dedicated to furthering the body of knowledge regarding treatment and prevention of mental health symptoms after a disaster through research efforts. DPO has conducted several research studies related to 9/11 in collaboration with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the New York University School of Medicine. Since January, 2004, DPO has collaborated with the Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Texas to conduct an NIMH-funded study of people who evacuated from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The study examines the most directly affected individuals in WTC work settings, those who survived the attacks and their spouses/significant others. Awards and Recognition DPO President Visits the White House Septemer 8, 2008 - DPO President Craig L. Katz was invited to the White House to hear remarks on volunteering by President George W. Bush. Joined on the South Lawn by representatives from volunteer groups from around the country, Dr. Katz heard many themes that resonate with DPO as it celebrates its tenth anniversary this month. "President Bush celebrated the 61 million Americans who the census has found now volunteer in their communities.", according to Dr. Katz. "But the President expressed concern that voluntarism may fade as 9/11 recedes into the past. He urged Americans to volunteer not because of 9/11 but because they are needed. I could not agree more." Dr. Katz recalled how DPO existed before 9/11 but its future long after 9/11 remains in the hands and hearts of those who continue to give of themselves through any means they can. American Psychiatry Association Conference 2006 DPO volunteers Anand Pandya, MD, Ilisse Perlmutter, MD, James Nininger, MD, Jeff Taxman, MD, and Carol North, MD were honored with NAMI's 16th Annual Exemplary Psychiatrist Awards. These awards recognize psychiatrists who are noteworthy for going the extra mile, who have made substantial contributions to local or state NAMI activities, and who demonstrate exemplary commitment and expertise in the area of disaster psychiatry and post traumatic stress disorder. DPO is proud to have them among our fold. Ken Book Award Dr. Katz’s and Dr. Pandya’s book Disaster Psychiatry: Intervening When Nightmares Come True was chosen to receive the Ken book award by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The award recognizes books on their outstanding literary contributions in creating a better understanding of mental illness. Kenneth Myron Steele Memorial Awards for Provider Advocacy2002 In recognition of the work that Dr. Katz and DPO provided during the September 11 response, the Kenneth Myron Steele Memorial Award for Provider Advocacy was presented to Dr. Katz at the Picnic for Parity. An annual event, the Picnic for Parity was created in hopes of accomplishing several things with one event: educating the public about mental illness, building a coalition of all facets of the mental health community, and at the same time bringing attention to what is happening politically in the mental health world.” The award is in the name of Kenneth Steele, a noted advocate for consumer empowerment. Tom Levin Award for Community Activism 2002 In recognition of our response to the September 11th attacks and on behalf of all the DPO volunteers who served in the 9/11 response, DPO was presented this award at a special ceremony at the United Nations by the World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and the American Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. Special Achievement Award 2002 New York State Office of Mental Health presented this award to DPO for its response to the attacks of 9/11. AMA Foundation Leadership Award 2002 Awarded to DPO board member Dr. Sander Koyfman Spirit of Achievement Luncheon 2002 National Women's Division of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Awarded to DPO volunteer Dr. Lisa Sinsheimer for DPO projects related to the 9/11 disaster Philadelphia Psychiatric Society Benjamin Rush Ball 2002 Each year the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society members raise funds and host a ball for a worthwhile organization focused on the issue of mental health. This year they made DPO the honoree in recognition of the work related to the 9/11 disaster. COG Award for Distinguished Services 2001 The United Way presented this award to DPO for services related to 9/11. NYCVOAD 2000 The DPO representative to New York City chapter of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) was elected President of the NYCVOAD while also overseeing its Committee on Human Services. |
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