The Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster is charged to:
- Recommend and encourage working local district liaisons for psychiatric responses to disasters, including those resulting from a range of human-generated and natural disaster events.
- Assist the Medical Director’s Office in provision of consultation and identification of resources for local and national responses in times of national disasters.
- Encourage greater visibility for psychiatry and psychiatrists in organized disaster relief efforts and support efforts that accomplish this goal.
- Recommend liaisons with medical, academic, federal, state and local organizations and agencies to facilitate disaster mental health preparedness, response and recovery.
- Identify experts to support future disasters (e.g., media contacts as well as volunteers) and connect them with Communications staff.
- Act as a resource for educational and scientific materials and interventions to support affected communities, including persons with mental illness, in times of disasters.
- Provide consultation to leadership in their efforts to support members, district branches, and persons with mental illness.
Staff Liaison
Committee Members
- James West, M.D., DFAPA – Chairperson
2024-2025 - Rajdip Barman, M.D., FAPA
2024-2027 - Leslie Gise, M.D., DLFAPA
2024-2027 - Katherine Koh, M.D.
2024-2027 - Andrew McLean, M.D., FAPA
2024-2027 - Robert Rohrbaugh, M.D.
2020-2026 - Grant Brenner, M.D., DFAPA – Consultant
2024-2025 - Elizabeth Haase, M.D., DLFAPA – Consultant
2024-2025