TABLE 3.

Improving mental healthcare delivery after major disasters

Amend Stafford Act and applicable federal legislation to allow for direct funding of licensed, professional mental health services and administrative costs associated with these services

Provide prompt reimbursement to hospitals for services provided in immediate aftermath of disaster and allow for estimation of services if patient care was not/could not be recorded

Provide software and technical support to psychiatric facilities and mental health providers to facilitate using electronic medical records with automated and off-site back-ups

Promptly offer financial support, in the form of retention grants, to local mental health providers so that these professionals can continue to practice in their affected communities

Create several mental health response teams that work with law enforcement to treat mental health issues in the community before symptom escalation