Behavioral Health Disaster Responders, or "crisis counselors," provide a short-term intervention with individuals and/or groups experiencing psychological reactions to a major emergency and/or disaster and its aftermath.

This type of intervention is not therapy in the traditional mental health sense — responders (or 'counselors') link victims to disaster relief associations within the shortest amount of time while assessing victims for their need for counseling services. A typical intervention may include a referral to services, support, or food and shelter.

The Departments of Public Health and Mental Health, along with Boston Medical Center's Center for Multicultural Mental Health, have developed a behavioral health disaster responder (BHDR) training course and BHDR educational session.

BHDR Training Courses

For more information please visit Boston Medical Center's resiliency training page:
http://66.84.18.170/~cmmhcmtp/impartraining.php.

Links of Interest

Additional Information

Kermit Crawford, Ph.D.
Director, Behavioral Health Disaster Response Training Program
Boston Medical Center Center for Multicultural Mental Health
617-414-4759

Katie Kemen
Emergency Planning Coordinator
Emergency Preparedness Bureau, Department of Public Health
617-624-5086

This information is provided by within the Department of Public Health.