Location
Hamilton Hall 108
Session
Session 5
Start Date
12-4-2014 1:45 PM
End Date
12-4-2014 2:45 PM
Description
Mental illness is a complex and devastating diagnosis, which requires a fundamental understanding of how people afflicted with a diagnosis respond to the world around them. For those who are tasked with protecting the community, this understanding has a far-reaching effect, beyond the immediate contact. Forming relationships with community partners, such as DCFS and/or behavioral health experts to lay a foundation for dispatchers, law enforcement, and firefighters to learn the basic signs and symptoms of the more common types of mental illness, Alzheimer’s, and Autism will allow first responders to intervene in ways that limit negative outcomes. Dispatchers and first responders are also responsible for initial mobilization after a disaster, whether in their jurisdiction or in support of others. By laying the groundwork for mental illness comprehension on a day-to-day basis, first responders will have the knowledge base to aid those afflicted in a disaster response model. Furthermore, by incorporating this training into the overall emergency management plan, those charged with protecting the community possess another tool that aids in their mission. While those afflicted with mental illness represent a minority, but continually growing number, it is imperative that their well-being and needs are accounted for at the most basic levels.
Altering the Course: Mental Illness and First Responders
Hamilton Hall 108
Mental illness is a complex and devastating diagnosis, which requires a fundamental understanding of how people afflicted with a diagnosis respond to the world around them. For those who are tasked with protecting the community, this understanding has a far-reaching effect, beyond the immediate contact. Forming relationships with community partners, such as DCFS and/or behavioral health experts to lay a foundation for dispatchers, law enforcement, and firefighters to learn the basic signs and symptoms of the more common types of mental illness, Alzheimer’s, and Autism will allow first responders to intervene in ways that limit negative outcomes. Dispatchers and first responders are also responsible for initial mobilization after a disaster, whether in their jurisdiction or in support of others. By laying the groundwork for mental illness comprehension on a day-to-day basis, first responders will have the knowledge base to aid those afflicted in a disaster response model. Furthermore, by incorporating this training into the overall emergency management plan, those charged with protecting the community possess another tool that aids in their mission. While those afflicted with mental illness represent a minority, but continually growing number, it is imperative that their well-being and needs are accounted for at the most basic levels.