First responders play a crucial role in the care of individuals affected by natural and man-made disasters. Research has shown that trauma-related disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (22%) and depression (26%) (Fullerton, 2006), are well-documented in human first responders and behavioral health issues, such as suicidal thoughts and poor interpersonal relationships, can affect up to 51% of veterinary emergency responders following a disaster (Vroegindewey, 2021). In the United States 100 organizations form a niche field of marine animal responders, the Marine Mammal Stranding Network (MMSN) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2018), that bridge the gap between these two fields; responding to sick, injured, and deceased marine animals. In the Southeast region (SER), numerous unusual mortality events involving hundreds to thousands of animals have occurred over the last 10 years (NOAA, 2023). Among these responders, reports of anxiety and burnout are common (H. Herring, personal communication, April 20th, 2023), however no structure is currently in place to support resilience and well-being within this network. The proposed program will fill the gap in marine trauma prevention through three phases. First, we identify those currently suffering from trauma-related disorders and provide support to face past trauma. Second, we disseminate resilience-based training to those currently in the MMSN to prevent future trauma. Third, we collaborate with NOAA to establish trauma-informed policies within the MMSN.
Our project will incorporate four trauma-informed approach principles: safety, peer support and mutual self-help, collaboration and mutuality, and empowerment, voice, and choice (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014). Voluntary therapy and group mindfulness sessions will provide safe spaces for individuals to work through trauma without fear of being ostracized (Philadelphia, 2016). Participants will be involved in developing their own treatment plans (Philadelphia, 2016) as well as opportunities to provide input for the network training and session topics for the RIAAH conference, building empowerment within the individual and peer-group setting (SAMHSA, 2014). Group mindfulness sessions will allow individuals with similar lived experiences the opportunity to share their stories, and build trust, safety, and hope as trauma survivors (SAMHSA, 2014), utilizing the peer support and mutual self-help principle. The RIAAH conference will address the SAMHSA collaboration and mutuality principle by providing the network opportunity to become trauma aware, learn about the effects of trauma exposure, and offer training in trauma-informed practices and support (Philadelphia, 2016). This conference will also provide opportunity for network individuals to work with a multidisciplinary panel to develop a list of needs and plan for continued training and support for trauma-informed practice (SAMHSA, 2014), building empowerment within the network.
This project will be utilizing the McLeroy Social Ecological Model, as this model considers the effect of the environment on the individual as well as the individual’s effect on the environment (McLeroy, 1988). This is something that needs to be considered for the SER MMSN, where there is a high potential for vicarious trauma introduction among not only first responders but academics in the network (Nikischer, 2019). Following pre-program surveys to identify high risk individuals in the network, the intrapersonal level of the model will be addressed by providing individualized therapy sessions. Concurrently, the interpersonal level of this model will be addressed via group mindfulness sessions which utilize relaxation techniques used in posttraumatic stress disorders (Scotland-Coogan, 2016) as well as offer unstructured time to cultivate support among other trauma survivors within the network (SAMHSA, 2014). The project will address the community level by hosting a resilience in aquatic animal health (RIAAH) conference, where roundtable discussions will provide network partners the opportunity to have say in the needs and strategies for the network as a whole, and foster empowerment at the individual, organizational, and community levels (Philadelphia, 2019).
Our program will utilize a multilevel, multidisciplinary public health framework model to implement primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention (Philadelphia, 2016). Primary prevention involves hosting of the RIAAH conference led by wildlife biologists, ecopsychologists, consultants, therapists, and self-care professionals. Here, the MMSN will be provided access to trainings that focus on the impact of trauma on the individual and program level (Philadelphia, 2016), provide coping skills following an event (Lanza, 2018), and offer opportunity for framework development of a trauma-informed network (Philadelphia, 2016). Secondary project prevention involves implementing screening necessary to connect high-risk staff to appropriate treatment, and tertiary prevention includes therapy and mindfulness trainings provided by trauma specialists for these individuals.
Through this effort, the program aims to build empowerment within the network by reducing the impact of trauma exposure.
References
Kleim, B., & Westphal, M. (2011). Mental health in first responders: A review and recommendation for prevention and intervention strategies. Traumatology, 17(4), 17-24.
Fullerton, C. S., Ursano, R., Reeves, J., Shigemura, J., & Grieger, T. (2006). Perceived safety in disaster workers following 9/11. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 194(1), 61-63.
Lanza, A., Roysircar, G., & Rodgers, S. (2018). First responder mental healthcare: Evidence-based prevention, postvention, and treatment. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 49(3), 193.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2018, December 17). Developing Marine Mammal Response Capacity at Home and Abroad. Developing Marine Mammal Response Capacity at Home and Abroad | NOAA Fisheries
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2023a, January 05). Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events. Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events | NOAA Fisheries
Philadelphia, Philanthropy Network Greater (2016). Trauma-Informed Philanthropy: A Funder’s Resource Guide for Supporting Trauma-Informed Practice in the Delaware Valley.
Scotland-Coogan, D., & Davis, E. (2016). Relaxation techniques for trauma. Journal of evidence-informed social work, 13(5), 434-441.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2014). SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Vroegindewey, G., & Kertis, K. (2021). Veterinary behavioural health issues associated with disaster response. The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 36(3), 78-84.
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