Moving Mental Health into the Disaster-Preparedness Spotlight

As the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster enters its next phase, consensus is emerging that among its most profound immediate health effects are those on the emotional and psychosocial health of Gulf Coast communities. State mental health and substance-abuse agencies report an increase in emotional distress and demand for assistance. Calls to domestic-violence hotlines are increasing. Fishermen fear for their families' economic future, and communities wonder how the influx of clean-up workers and volunteers will affect their way of life. Most major disasters, including the Exxon Valdez spill, Hurricane Katrina, and the 9/11 attacks, have been followed by increases in the . . .