Literature, Education Resources and Tools
Creating Safe Scenes Training Course
Creating Safe Scenes is a free online training course that helps first responders work with individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis. This course is designed to help first responders understand more about mental health, mental illness, and substance use disorders so they can better assess risks and apply the safest strategies for taking care of themselves and the individuals they are called to serve.
Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS): Disaster Responders
This part of the SAMHSA DTAC DBHIS includes resources first responders can use to respond effectively, restore survivor well-being, and care for themselves, so that they can continue to serve. Intended for responders in a wide range of fields—police, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, humanitarian aid workers, public officials, and emergency managers.
SAMHSA DTAC Tip Sheets
SAMHSA DTAC offers several tip sheets to help first responders after disasters and traumatic events. Several tip sheets are also available in Spanish.
Tips for Health Care Practitioners and Responders: Helping Survivors Cope With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
Provides health care practitioners and disaster responders with guidelines for communicating with survivors experiencing grief. Background information about the grieving process and what happens when the grief process is interrupted and complicated or traumatic grief occurs is included as well as helpful resources for additional assistance.
Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
This tip sheet contains information about grief, the grieving process, and what happens when the process is interrupted and complicated or traumatic grief occurs. It also offers tips and resources for coping with both types of grief.