Prevention of the Consequences of Man-Made or Natural Disaster at the (Inter)National, the Community, the Family and the Individual Level

Abstract

It is possible by definition to prevent a posttraumatic stress syndrome by eliminating the traumatic event or by reducing its consequences. However, the psychotraumatic sequelae of a man-made or natural disaster often affect so many people that they cannot be addressed with current models of clinical psychology and psychiatry. This chapter reviews a number of preventive initiatives and proposes a model that deals with prevention on several levels, descending from the (inter)national level to communities of displaced persons and refugees, families, and individuals. The model integrates concepts from the fields of public health, psychology, anthropology and psychiatry and proposes multi-modal preventive interventions in relation to the different societal levels involved. It can be used in an eclectic way by applying a specific preventive principle in a specific post-disaster situation. This chapter emphasizes the prevention of psychosocial and mental health consequences and only briefly mentions political and polemic issues that are left to the experts in that field. After a brief outline of the international multi-site program, the chapter reviews preventive experiences elsewhere and describes the preventive principles and guidelines that are being implemented to deal with massive community stress among refugees and other victims of man-made and natural disasters. [Adapted from Text, pp. 207-208]