The intersection of trauma and disaster behavioral health: An introduction

The purpose of this introduction is to set the stage for an interdisciplinary examination of the intersection of trauma and post-disaster behavioral health that is addressed in the chapters of this book. We have brought together a unique ensemble of scholars, including researchers and practitioners, in their areas of expertise. Taken together, the chapter authors speak to the challenges and solutions related to meeting the needs of recovery in the context of trauma and disaster response. This introduction begins with a brief overview of disasters and their psychosocial consequences, to contextualize the present volume. The organization of this volume is summarized next, highlighting individual chapters. We conclude by emphasizing for the reader why the intersection of trauma and disaster behavioral health is a pressing concern in the twenty-first century.