College president, Institute for Disaster Mental Health director to receive Red Cross awards

The Ulster County Chapter of the American Red Cross will honor College President Steven Poskanzer and James Halpern, director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health, at its 10th annual Founder Award Dinner on June 5 at Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston. The event, which also celebrates the Red Cross’s 100 years in Ulster County, begins with cocktails and a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner, awards and music at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125. Reservations can be made by contacting Susan Valentine at (845) 728-1289 or svalentine@hvc.rr.com.

by Danielle Chery ‘09 (Journalism)

Public Affairs intern

The college was awarded a $48,000 competitive federal grant to fund the Institute for Disaster Mental Health’s (IDMH) sixth annual conference from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Entry is free for faculty, staff and students.

This year’s conference topic is “In the Wake of Disaster: Effective Mental Health Interventions.” The event will promote preparation and support for victims of mental health caused by disasters.

The morning keynote will be given by Chris Brewin, a clinical psychologist specializing in both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and memory. His speech, titled “Principles and Research on Early Intervention and the Screen and Treat Approach,” will focus on evidence-based healing methods for recent disaster survivors.

This event will also feature a panel of mental health experts, including Gerald McCleery, Mental Health Association; Paula Madrid, Psychosocial Preparedness Division of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University; and Monica Indart, Division of Mental Health Services – Disaster and Terrorism Branch.

All guest speakers have played major roles in responding to major catastrophes around the world.

There will also be a lunchtime panel hosted by Alan Chartock, president of WAMC Northeast Public Radio and publisher of The Legislative Gazette, which is operated under the college’s Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO). After lunch, attendees have the option to engage in afternoon standard workshops or extended professional workshops with information and training on interventions. After the workshops, there will be an hour of networking.

The Institute for Disaster Mental Health’s conference has also been sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration; New York State Department of Health; and Campus Auxiliary Services.

For more information, visit www.newpaltz.edu/idmh/conference.html.

The Institute for Disaster Mental Health will host its sixth annual conference, “In the Wake of Disaster: Effective Mental Health Interventions,” on April 17.

This year, health and mental health experts will present the latest evidence-based research on the topic of interventions for disaster survivors.

Through discussions and workshops, attendees will learn effective methods for providing effective interventions, as well as the principles of, and current state of research on, early interventions, including psychological first aid, psychoeducation, and screening and referral for long-term treatment.

The keynote speaker, Chris Brewin, is a professor of clinical, educational and health psychology at University College, London, and creator of the Screen and Treat Approach early assessment tool. In addition to the keynote, there will be an expert panel discussing innovations in early intervention.

The conference is funded in part by a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, as well as grants from the New York State Office of Mental Health and Campus Auxiliary Services.

Registration for the conference is open to the campus community and the public. The conference is free for New Paltz faculty, staff and students. To sign up, visit www.newpaltz.edu/idmh/conference.html.

Institute for Disaster Mental Health selects advisory board chair

Susan Rounds, the new chair of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health’s advisory board, has more than 20 years of experience working with the American Red Cross.

Susan Rounds of the American Red Cross has been appointed chair of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health’s (IDMH) advisory board. Rounds, a resident of Olivebridge, is the chapter planning and support manager for the Metro New York and Northeastern New York regions of the American Red Cross. She joined the advisory board in 2007.

The advisory board is a group of experienced and committed professionals and community leaders active in fields directly related to the work of the institute. The board assists in identifying community and professional needs for disaster mental health training; identifying funding sources; and disseminating the work of the institute to the public.

The board members are Gerald Benjamin, director of the SUNY New Paltz Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO) and associate vice president of regional engagement; James Halpern, SUNY New Paltz psychology professor and director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health; Gweneth Lloyd, director of the college’s Psychological Counseling Center; Douglas Maynard, chair of the SUNY New Paltz Psychology Department; Jacki Brownstein, executive director of Mental Health America of Dutchess County; Charlene Mayville, deputy director of the New York State Office of Mental Health – Hudson River Office; Kevin Mulrooney, sergeant with the New York City Police Department – Counterterrorism Department; Debra Rauch, community business member; Art Synder, director of Emergency Communication and Emergency Management; Mary Tramontin, clinical psychologist – American Red Cross/Greater New York Chapter; and Eleanor Troy, public health preparedness coordinator.

For more information about the Institute for Disaster Mental Health, visit www.newpaltz.edu/idmh.

IDMH conference receives funding

The Institute for Disaster Mental Health recently received a $48,125 federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for its 2009 conference. “In the Wake of Disaster: Effective Mental Health Interventions” will be held on April 17 and will provide health and mental health professionals with the latest evidence-based research for caring for victims of natural and man-made disasters.