Lessons Learned in Disaster Mental Health
The Earthquake in Armenia and Beyond

An in-depth review of an extensive humanitarian post-earthquake relief program, exploring how it helped to modernize disaster mental health.

Armen Goenjian (Edited by), Alan Steinberg (Edited by), Robert Pynoos (Edited by)

9781108813143, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 May 2022

224 pages
23.3 x 15.7 x 1.2 cm, 0.43 kg

'This book is a major contribution to our understanding of how the consequences of trauma unfold over time and the need for appropriate ongoing interventions. It teaches us how much practical work and trusted personal relationships are needed to successfully implement an outreach program under chaotic conditions. Their long-standing work on behalf of children and adolescents in school settings is unique and inspiring.' Grete Dyb, M.D., Ph.D., Research Director, Norwegian Center of Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Oslo

This fascinating book provides a comprehensive overview of the extensive post-disaster mental health recovery program implemented after the 1988 Armenian earthquake. Covering the program's evolution, from the initial acute phase of clinical fieldwork, to its expansion as a three-year teaching and training program for local therapists, to the building of mental health clinics in devastated cities. Featuring poignant memoirs detailing the daily challenges and rewards of working in the trenches, the book presents a conceptual framework that can guide post-disaster clinical and research efforts, lessons learned from this work and other disasters, and highlights recent advances in disaster psychiatry. This school-based intervention program has informed subsequent disaster response efforts in many countries and has provided clinically relevant cutting-edge research findings from longitudinal and treatment outcomes studies conducted over 25 years. Essential reading for psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other mental health professionals and those working for relief organizations following disasters.

1. The 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia and the implementation of the psychiatric outreach program Armen Goenjian
2. Diaspora therapists working in the earthquake zone Armen Goenjian
3. Treatment outcome among early adolescents two decades post-earthquake Armen Goenjian, Alan Steinberg, Robert Pynoos
4. Course and predictors of PTSD and depression among not treated children and adolescents over two decades Armen Goenjian, Alan Steinberg, Robert Pynoos
5. Conscience, moral injury, and Psychopathology Barbara Stilwell, Matthew Galvin
6. Natural disasters and relocation Louis M. Najarian, David Pelcovitz
7. Long-term course of PTSD and depression among adults and current trends for treatment Armen Goenjian, Alan Steinberg, Robert Pynoos
8. How the Spitak earthquake contributed to our understanding of the genetics of PTSD and associated disorders Julie Bailey, Armen Goenjian
9. Epidemiology of disasters and the Spitak earthquake Vahe Khachadourian, Haroutune K. Armenian
10. Traumatic stress conceptual framework Alan Steinberg, Robert Pynoos, Armen Goenjian
11. Memoirs of the Spitak earthquake Pavagan Petrosyan, Ida Karayan, Liana H. Grigorian
12. Lessons learned from the Spitak earthquake and other catastrophic disasters Armen Goenjian, Alan Steinberg, Robert Pynoos.

Subject Areas: Psychiatric nursing [MQCL5], Clinical psychology [MMJ], Psychiatry [MMH], Mental health services [MBPK], Epidemiology & medical statistics [MBNS], Personal & public health [MBNH], Psychology [JM], Social work [JKSN], Care of the mentally ill [JKSM], Social impact of disasters [JFFC]