Proceedings of the Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Conference

Proceedings of the Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Conference
Edited by George W. Doherty, MS, LPC
Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Institute
ISBN: 9781-932690-37-8
Non-Fiction, Social Science, Disasters, Relief
Reviewed by Lee Gooden

“Learning form the past and planning for the future.”
It is a given that science and technology has lessened our work load and has increased our life spans; as our knowledge and technology increases those things that seem to be for the betterment of mankind also creates new fears and anxiety. The destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by atomic bombs is a perfect example. Yes, World War II came to an end, but the Cold War began almost immediately and the fear of a nuclear holocaust became preeminent. In comparison, the idea of a terrorist attack on our soil only ten years ago was fodder for Hollywood movies. Seven years after September 11, terrorist attacks are no longer the stuff of fiction, but cold stark truths.
While the world changes at an astounding rapid pace and humanity seems hardened and desensitized, in truth our egos maybe amplified, but our psyches are as fragile and vulnerable as the first settlers that tried to tame the wild frontiers of young America. Pioneers of yesterday and today contain the traits of innovation, perseverance and most of all, adaptability. These factors lead to expedient progress. But what happens when one does not have the mental and physical faculties to deal with the stressors within society? Do they get left behind like jetsam and flotsam? No, although, Spencer, Hitler and twenty-first century Eugenic supporters would propose that those individuals left behind would be part of a natural selection; luckily we employ mental health workers that think in humanitarian terms instead of pragmatic when it comes to facilitating and advocating for people suffering from a temporary or permanent developmental disabilities and/or a mental illness.
The Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Institute meets annually to discuss these problems. In 2006 they held a conference with the theme Taking Charge In Troubled Times. The result of the conference is the informative and reassuring book, Proceedings of the 5th Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Conference. Consisting mostly of the notes and papers from the conference, Proceedings is more than just a summary of its parts. It transcends beyond reportage and documentation.
Created from think-tank discussions on controversial subjects like the impact of hurricane Katrina on disenfranchised victims (and other past and future natural disasters), the abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison, the preparation of the American citizenry for the return of military personal from war, among other topics, Proceedings deals with issues that are relevant to today’s western society. Proceedings is written by experts in an interdisciplinary team made up of doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and other health care workers. Although Proceedings is written primarily for professionals in the mental health care field, and contains an intensive vocabulary of terms, diagnoses, psychological methodology and models; laymen explanations are provided that allows for basic comprehension and simple implementation for everyone.

Proceedings provides a wealth of information and options that change a reader’s sensibilities from umbrage and despair and thinking that people are apathetic to their plight, into individuals that are not afraid to seek help and to look inside themselves to find strength and hope.