The Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disaster is charged with:

• Recommending and encouraging working local district liaisons for psychiatric responses to disasters, including those resulting from a range of human generated and natural disaster events.
• Assisting the Medical Director’s Office in provision of consultation and identification of resources for local and national responses in times of national disasters.
• Encouraging greater visibility for psychiatry and psychiatrists in organized disaster relief efforts and support efforts that accomplish this goal.
• Recommending liaisons with medical, academic, federal, state and local organizations and agencies to facilitate disaster mental health preparedness, response and recovery.
• Identifying experts to support future disasters (e.g., media contacts as well as volunteers) and connect them with Communications staff.
• Acting as a resource for educational and scientific materials and interventions to support affected communities, including persons with mental illness, in times of disasters.
• Providing consultation to leadership in their efforts to support members, district branches, and persons with mental illness.

Term

Three years; volunteer leaders will be eligible for reappointment for an additional three year term at the conclusion of their first term.

Expected Time Commitment

The Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. ET, with additional meetings as needed on key events.