War in Iraq: Information

This section of the website contains the latest fact sheets and literature on the war in Iraq. Important links from the site are:
The Iraq War Clinican Guide, 2nd Edition, and two new guides on Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel and A Guide for Families
as well as the VA Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Seamless Transition website. 

For information on how the war may impact soldiers see: A Brief Primer on the Mental Health Impact of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. For a list of resources available to returning soldiers and their families see our Veteran Resources sheet, Resources for U.S. Soldiers Returning from Deployment.

Natural Disasters: Devastation Around the World

NOTE: NEW Revised Psychological First Aid Manual (8/2006)!

2005 was a year filled with horrid disasters that caused widespread major destruction. These disasters are responsible for taking many lives and leaving millions homeless, the effects still strong today. For information on the psychological effects of natural disasters, see our section of disaster fact sheets. For donations to help survivors, contact services such as the American Red Cross, or see our Help Web Page.

SAMHSA interview with Dr. Matthew Friedman on PTSD in Disasters. (PC format presentation)

Download the REVISED SAMHSA supported Psychological First Aid Manual, complete with handouts. This is a guide for first responders and mental health professionals to help survivors in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress, and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning.

Click here for information specific to the disasterous effects of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, including information on how you can help (see bottom of page).