Individual and Community Psychosocial Support in the Immediate Response and Early Recovery of Hurricane Maria

Joseph O. Prewitt Diaz

Abstract

Two hurricanes over a period of less than one month in Puerto Rico have caused catastrophic destruction in terms of infrastructure and the natural environment. After ninety days of field work, this paper provides a follow-up to the Disaster Mental Health and psychosocial support activities that occurred between the immediate response and three months of recovery in communities affected by Hurricane Maria. Communitybased psychosocial support during the immediate response and early recovery interventions are discussed. The summary discusses criteria that were used to make these interventions a part of a community-based psychosocial support program.

Relevant Publications in International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience