In an effort to address unmet mental health and resilience needs identified following multiple disasters, the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP), with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), launched the Gulf Responder Resilience Training Project (GRRTP) in 2012 to develop behavioral health training for disaster-impacted communities. This page contains training materials and other resources developed under the GRRTP. For a list of resources applicable to a variety of natural and man-made disasters, please visit our All-Hazards Resources page.
Training Resources
Three unique sets of awareness-level training materials have been designed to educate and empower those impacted by disasters to:
- Recognize signs and symptoms of disaster work-related stress
- Obtain support through an employer/organization or community resources
- Build resilience by understanding stress reduction and coping strategies
Disaster Worker Resiliency Training Materials
This awareness-level training is designed for a wide variety of disaster-impacted workers, including those working in disaster response, recovery, and rebuilding—such as paid employees, volunteers, and homeowners in a disaster-impacted area. It may be appropriate for disaster workers who are also disaster survivors.
In English:
- Disaster Worker Resiliency Training Presentation(5.8MB)
- Disaster Worker Resiliency Training Participant Manual(1.9MB)
- Disaster Worker Resiliency Training Instructor Manual(3.3MB)
- Disaster Worker Resiliency Podcast
En Español:
- Capacitación de resiliencia para personal de socorro en casos de desastre: Presentación(32.7MB)
- Capacitación de resiliencia para personal de socorro en casos de desastre: Manual para participantes(1.9MB)
- Capacitación de resiliencia para personal de socorro en casos de desastre: Manual para instructores(3.4MB)
Disaster Supervisor Resiliency Training Materials
This awareness-level training is designed for disaster supervisors, including managers, field coordinators, team leaders, and other personnel who are responsible for supervising work or voluntary teams doing disaster rescue, recovery, or rebuilding work. The training includes content from the Disaster Worker Resiliency Course (above) and contains an additional component that explores balancing team resilience and personal needs.
In English:
- Disaster Supervisor Resiliency Training Presentation(20.1MB)
- Disaster Supervisor Resiliency Training Participant Manual(2.2MB)
- Disaster Supervisor Resiliency Training Instructor Manual(18.8MB)
En Español:
- Curso de capacitación de resiliencia para supervisores de socorro en casos de desastre: Presentación(19.6MB)
- Curso de capacitación de resiliencia para supervisores de socorro en casos de desastre: Manual para participantes(3.2MB)
- Curso de capacitación de resiliencia para supervisores de socorro en casos de desastre: Manual para instructores(2MB)
Disaster Care Provider Training Materials
This awareness-level training is designed for community care centers, clinics, health care offices, hospitals, or disaster recovery centers, and explores the links between behavioral and physical health, post-disaster behavioral health risk factors, and the screening/detection and management of commonly-seen mental health consequences following disasters. The training can be shared with a variety of care providers, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and health care staff who interact with disaster-impacted populations.
- Disaster Care Provider Training Presentation(3.8MB)
- Disaster Care Provider Training Instructor Guide(320KB)
Participant Handouts for All Resiliency Training Courses
In English:
- Caring for Yourself in the Face of Difficult Work(483KB)
- Connecting with Others: Giving and Receiving Social Support(221KB)
- Information for Families: When a Family Member Is Traumatized at Work(125KB)
- When Terrible Things Happen: What You May Experience – What Helps and What Does Not(232KB)
En Español:
- Conexion con otras personas: Dando y recibiendo apoyo social(326KB)
- Cuando occurren cosas terribles: Lo que usted podria experimentar – Que ayuda y que no(329KB)
- Cuidado personal cuando el trabajo es difícil(492KB)
- Información para familiares: Cuando un familiar sufre un trauma en el trabajo(225KB)
GRRTP Meeting Reports and Related Materials
During Phase 1 of the GRRTP, stakeholders representing community advocates, academia, and public health and safety met to discuss the training and education needs of disaster workers following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Stakeholders convened a second time to review Phase 1 progress, present preliminary findings from a Gulf worker survey, and outline the Phase 2 approach (curriculum development). A comprehensive literature review on behavioral health interventions was performed to determine the evidence base for current best practices in behavioral health for disaster responders. A subsequent meeting was conducted with behavioral health subject matter experts where the literature review was presented and behavioral health training issues were discussed.
- Meeting Report: Phase 1 Stakeholder Meeting on Mental Health and Training(1.2MB)
- Meeting Report: Phase 2 Kickoff Meeting(130KB)
- Meeting Report: Phase 2 Behavioral Health Experts Meeting(246KB)
- Literature Summary and Review of Disaster Mental Health(882KB)
- Appendix to Literature Summary: Mental Health Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill(411KB)
Federal Links and Documents
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Beyond Storms & Droughts: The Psychological Impacts of Climate Change
- Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) Resource Collections
- Disaster Distress Helpline
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters