DISASTERS AND WELLNESS
Mark Keim, MD, MBA
Emergency medicine, Disaster medicine, Public health, Emergency management, Business administration, Public policy, Public speaking
MENTAL HEALTH IS A KEY ELEMENT OF HEALTH BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER DISASTERS
Regardless of the cause, disasters are well known to create and exacerbate a wide range of mental health conditions (e.g., stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, domestic violence).
Like health, the concept of wellness was also inspired by the World Health Organization’s definition of health as a state of complete well-being. In this sense, wellness seeks to optimize well-being. This is accomplished according to three basic tenets: (1) a conscious, self-directed process, (2) a holistic approach, and (3) a positive and affirming perspective.
Hettler described six dimensions of wellness to include emotional, occupational, physical, spiritual, intellectual, and social aspects. This model recognizes a range of dimensions that directly affect our sense of completeness. As is also the case in disasters, all these these dimensions involve our mental health.
Many years of study have confirmed that mental health is a key determinant of health before, during and after disasters. In addition to being a potential outcome of disaster-related events, in many case, mental illness is also thought to be an important risk factor for disaster-related morbidity and mortality.
A wellness approach to public health emergencies helps remind us of the interconnectedness of each dimension and the influence of these factors as determinants of health for a “state of complete well-being.”
It offers a comprehensive approach to healthy living that empowers the proactive role of the individual in preventing disease and promoting health.?#apha2023
From: Keim M. "Emergency Health: Practical application of public helaht principles. APHA Press. May 2023