Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 4. Source pages: 1, 11.
People Dr. Lewis-Todd, Red Cross Leader, Joins Community
Dr. Tracy Lewis-Todd, Disaster Mental Health Regional Lead for the American Red Cross, has joined the Louisiana psychology community, relocating from Illinois to New Orleans over the last year.
“Louisiana has historically had an unmet need for Disaster Mental Health (DMH) staff to serve the clients and communities affected by the many small and large disasters which impact our region,” Dr. Lewis-Todd said. “DMH volunteers consist of currently licensed or retired mental health professionals,” she explained. “The Red Cross offers online and classroom training to prepare clinicians to utilize their skills and expertise in the context of the Red Cross mission.” Dr. Tracy Lewis-Todd is a Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist with thirty plus years of experience as a clinician in multiple treatment modalities, as well as positions as Clinical Director, and in Program Development and Supervision. Her areas of specialization are high-risk adolescents and families, addictions and dual-diagnoses.
Last November, Lewis-Todd provided, “Disaster Mental Health Worker Certification Training,” last November for the Louisiana School Psychological Association. She plans on participating with the disaster relief discussion and strategic group at upcoming convention of the Louisiana Psychological Association this May.
The American Red Cross of Louisiana has a volunteer team of DMH professionals, Dr. Lewis-Todd explained, who are essential to the emotional and physical health and safety of volunteers, clients and employees affected by disasters.
“DMH volunteers may provide on-call phone support to survivors and responders in need of emotional support after local or regional disasters by providing psychological first aid,” she said. They make “referrals to local behavioral health resources and other DMH interventions as appropriate.”
She also said that some DMH volunteers will also engage with the Disaster Action Teams (DAT) and respond on-scene to local disasters, such as home fires, floods, tornados, etc.
“When a major disaster or mass casualty incident occurs in Louisiana or in another state,” she said, “DMH volunteers can deploy for 7-10 days to provide support at the site of the disaster. Pre-response staff support, staff mental health and disaster mental health instruction are also important roles of DMH.”
“The American Red Cross also has a Services to the Armed Forces division which provides support and resources to our military personnel and their families,” Lewis-Todd said. “Licensed mental health professionals can be trained to teach Reconnection Workshops, offering guidance in coping with pre- and post-deployment stressors. These courses address issues including depression, management of stress and trauma, anger management and communication skills. Much of the focus is upon partners and families of the military.”
Dr. Lewis-Todd said that recently this has been augmented by workshops teaching mind/body skills. In Louisiana, there has also been a significant emphasis on suicide prevention through the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training program, teaching principles and techniques of suicide first aid, she explained.
“The Red Cross is an excellent way to give back to your community based on your interests and availability,” she said.
Dr. Tracy Lewis-Todd and her husband (also a Clinical Psychologist) retired to New Orleans in January of 2017 and immediately started volunteering for the Red Cross during the tornados in East Orleans. Since then she has volunteered for several other small and large disasters including a 3-week deployment to the US Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria. Although her professional skills have transferred to her role in DMH, she said the most gratifying part “has been being part of a multi-faceted team of responders and experiencing the resilience, generosity and sense of community that emerge at times of disaster despite the disruption, grief and loss that impact everyone involved.”
Those interested in learning more about the role of psychologists in Disaster Mental Health are invited to contact Dr. Lewis-Todd at tracy.lewistodd@redcross.org.
For information about Services to the Armed Forces those interested can contact Thomas Todd, PhD and SAF Resilience Lead at tom.todd@redcross.org.
The Flood of 2016. Flooding east of Baton Rouge was considered ground zero, with areas that had over 30 inches of rain. Thousands lost their homes. (Courtesy of Coast Guard) August 22, 2016. Breaux Bridge, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. “The majority of people are making it through this because they’re working together,” says Jodi Bocco, a Red Cross disaster mental health volunteer. Bocco is working in communities, meeting people like Miranda Melancon who were affected by the flooding. (Photo by: Marko Kokic/American Red Cross. Courtesy of Red Cross.)
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