Eric R. Hardiman, PhD¹, Sheila Donahue, MA, CPHQ², Eleanor Jaffee, MSW¹, Jenneth Carpenter, MSW¹, Matthew Corrigan, MSW¹, and David L. Gourdine, BA¹. (1) School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York, 135 Western Ave., Richardson 281, Albany, NY 12222, 518-442-5705, hardiman@albany.edu, (2) Project Liberty/Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, New York State Office of Mental Health, 84 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12229

While mutual support and peer-provided services have long been utilized with outpatient mental health populations, there is a lack of understanding and agreement about their relevance in the provision of mental health disaster-relief services. Preliminary evidence suggests that consumer-provided (peer support) programs may be uniquely positioned to provide effective services for vulnerable populations considered at special risk for traumatization and the recurrence of post-traumatic symptomatology in the wake of a large public disaster. This presentation will focus on a multidimensional, mixed method evaluation of consumer-provided mental health services provided in New York City as a response to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Free non-discriminatory trauma support and relief services were provided to adults with existing psychiatric disabilities in the New York City area. All services were provided by trained staff who are current or former consumers of mental health services. Delivered from a preventive public health framework, program features included intensive outreach, individual counseling, group support, and telephone “warm line” services. Service recipients, program staff and selected administrators participated in interviews or focus groups. Interviews were audiotape recorded and transcribed. A total of 30 interviews and 8 focus groups were completed. Data are being analyzed using grounded theory methodology. In addition, quantitative service utilization data are being analyzed. Results will be presented, and implications for the organization and delivery of peer support disaster relief services will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Understand the role that a peer-provided disaster relief program played in addressing the mental health needs of service recipients in response to the events of 9/11.
• Define the concept of mental health peer provider as it relates to disaster relief services in a culturally and economically diverse community.
• Identify at least three (
• challenges facing peer providers of disaster-relief mental health services.
• Discuss the unique mental health benefits and growth opportunities that peer-provided disaster relief services offer to both service recipients and providers.
• Discuss the implications of peer-based mental health service delivery responses to future disasters.

Keywords: Peer Counselors, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.