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Factors Predicting Crisis Counselor Referrals to Other Crisis Counseling, Disaster Relief, and Psychological Services: A Cross-Site Analysis of Post-Katrina Programs

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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An important aspect of crisis counseling is linking survivors with services for their unmet needs. We examined determinants of referrals for disaster relief, additional crisis counseling, and psychological services in 703,000 crisis counseling encounters 3–18 months after Hurricane Katrina. Referrals for disaster relief were predicted by clients’ losses, age (adults rather than children), and urbanicity. Referrals for additional counseling and psychological services were predicted by urbanicity, losses and trauma exposure, prior trauma, and preexisting mental health problems. Counseling and psychological referrals declined over time despite continuing mental health needs. Results confirm large urban–rural disparities in access to services.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by an interagency agreement between the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD), Executive Division, White River Junction, VT and the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START; grant number N00140510629), a Center of Excellence in the Social and Behavioral Sciences funded by the Department of Homeland Security. Opinions, findings, and conclusions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA, the VA, or DHS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Craig S. Rosen

  2. St. Louis VA Medical Center, Center for Mental Health Services Research, Washington University in St. Louis, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Monica M. Matthieu

  3. National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009, USA

    Fran H. Norris

  4. Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA

    Fran H. Norris

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  1. Craig S. Rosen
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  2. Monica M. Matthieu
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  3. Fran H. Norris
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Correspondence to Fran H. Norris.

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Rosen, C.S., Matthieu, M.M. & Norris, F.H. Factors Predicting Crisis Counselor Referrals to Other Crisis Counseling, Disaster Relief, and Psychological Services: A Cross-Site Analysis of Post-Katrina Programs. Adm Policy Ment Health 36, 186–194 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-009-0216-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-009-0216-0

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