Summary
The Trauma and Recovery Research Unit is a research unit at McMaster University that provides Canadians with evidence-informed tools to manage psychological responses before, during, and after potentially psychologically traumatic events such as natural disasters, pandemics, and emergencies.
Their Mental Health and Wellness Recovery Toolkit offers guidance for community leaders, organizations, and agencies to support mental health and wellness recovery after disasters. It aims to enhance local capacity by outlining phased best practices and interventions rooted in the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Intervention Pyramid.
Policy & Practice Implications
- The toolkit recommends activities, services, and resources for specific target populations over four post-disaster phases: immediate (0–7 days), short-term (1–6 months), medium-term (7–12 months), and long-term (12–36+ months).
- Community organizations and local leaders can use this toolkit to plan and prioritize mental health responses, activate culturally appropriate wellness supports, and foster community healing through inclusive events and resources.
- The toolkit supports service providers in understanding and applying a stepped-care approach to mental health recovery - guiding them from delivering immediate support to addressing long-term recovery needs.
Image source:
https://canemerg-urgencecan.com/community-mental-health-and-wellness-recovery-tool-kit/
