Psychological Toll Of Disasters Focus Of Howard County Meeting

The human toll of lost life and injured victims, along with damaged and destroyed properties, draws the most attention in the wake of emergencies and disasters like the Ellicott City floods, but the psychological toll often goes largely overlooked.

Howard County’s Office of Emergency Management aims to scrutinize the psychological impacts of disasters and tragedies, as well as to help people affected cope.

OEM’s local emergency planning committee will lead a meeting in two weeks on coping in the aftermath of tragedies and disasters, and building resilience. The meeting's set for Thursday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to noon at Howard Community College's Health Sciences Building. The event’s free but online registration is required.

“Crises, disasters, and other emergencies are common and preparedness efforts have risen to the challenge in recent years,” the planning committee said in an online listing for the event.
“However, psychological resilience remains an often overlooked aspect of preparing for these types of events."

The committee "will review lessons learned from past emergencies, to better prepare for the future challenges we all may face.”

The panel comprises government officials, local businesses, non-profit organizations and residents