Newswise — Dr. Jamie Aten, Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), co-directs the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College(HDI).
HDI is the first faith-based academic disaster research center in the country, and one of the few disaster or humanitarian centers in the Midwest. More information about the Humanitarian Disaster Institute is available at wheaton.edu/HDI.
Dr. Aten's primary professional interests focus on the integration of psychological science and theology, with an emphasis on disaster mental health and trauma. He can address topics including concrete steps to take in responding to disasters; How churches, communities,and individuals can rebuild following disasters; mental health and disasters; and how to prepare for disasters.
Dr. Aten has been recognized by the American Psychological Association for his research into the psychology of religion and disaster, including research related to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Gustav in 2008, and the Mississippi Delta tornadoes and the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill, both in 2010.
Additionally, the HDI has prepared tip sheets for responders. These tip sheets are available at wheaton.edu/HDI/resources. Topics include:
• Assessing Survivors' Mental Health• Recognizing Common Disaster Survivor Stress Reactions• Listening and Attending Skills• Connecting with Survivors• How to Minister to Disaster Survivors• How to Refer Disaster Survivors for Mental Health Care• How to Provide Psychological First Aid• Recognizing and Preventing Burnout in Yourself• Principles of Crisis Intervention• Helping Volunteers Talk about Stress• Annotated Review of Religion and Disaster Mental Health Research• Annotated Review of Disaster Spiritual and Emotional Care Books• How NOT to Provide Volunteer and Survivor Care• Strategies for Self-Care• Disaster Spiritual Care Points of Consensus
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