Inside this Edition
- 21st Annual IDMH Conference
- Call for Presenters
- Conference Sponsor
- IDMH Out and About
- From IDMH: Stay Connected, Stay Informed
| |
21st Annual IDMH ConferenceFrom Evidence to Action: Advancing Disaster Mental Health PracticeOctober 13, 2026 at SUNY New Paltz
Bridging the gap between research and practice depends on meaningful collaboration among academics, practitioners, first responders, and community leaders. This year’s conference is designed to bring these voices together to learn from one another, exchange ideas, explore new evidence, and translate knowledge into practical strategies for preparedness, response, and recovery. By connecting expertise across sectors, we aim to strengthen mental health practice and improve outcomes across diverse settings.
Registration opens this summer.
| |
Photos above: Speakers from the 20th Annual IDMH Conference.
Left: C.J. Huff, Middle: Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Right: Belinda Schlafer.
| |
Call for Presenters
IDMH is pleased to issue a call for proposals for presentations at our 21st Annual Conference. The conference will bring together researchers, practitioners, first responders, educators, and community leaders to explore evidence-informed approaches to supporting mental heath in disaster, crisis, and high-stress environments.
We welcome proposals for breakout sessions, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and academic poster presentations that align with the conference’s focus on bridging research and practice in disaster mental health.
Presentations may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- Turning disaster mental health research into actionable practice
- Adapting interventions for diverse communities and high-stress environments
- Case studies of successful collaborations between academic and field partners
- Use of technology, simulation, or experiential learning in training, preparedness, and response
- Research-informed strategies to reduce stigma among first responders
- Research-to-practice insights from programs developed in the post‑9/11 era
Proposal Deadline: Midnight, May 26, 2026
| |
Thank you to our Sponsor!
We’re proud to recognize the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) as a key sponsor of the 21st Annual IDMH Conference. DHSES plays a vital role in strengthening New York’s preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, and their continued support makes this important gathering possible. We’re grateful for their partnership in advancing resilience and disaster mental health across the state.
| |
IDMH Out and About
Disaster Recovery Field Experience
The Institute for Disaster Mental Health recently led a transformative disaster recovery service trip to Asheville, North Carolina, giving SUNY New Paltz students the opportunity to engage directly with communities rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The experience immersed students in the long-term realities of disaster recovery—moving beyond immediate response to witness resilience, community collaboration, and the ongoing emotional and physical challenges residents face. Through hands-on service and meaningful connections, students not only contributed to recovery efforts but also gained a deeper understanding of disaster mental health in practice, carrying these lessons forward into their academic and professional journeys.
IDMH plans to continue this service-learning trip each year, and is seeking financial support from donors and community partners who believe in preparing the next generation of disaster responders through meaningful, on-the-ground experiences that create lasting impact for both students and the communities they serve. Individuals or organizations interested in supporting this work are encouraged to contact the SUNY New Paltz Foundation at NPFund@newpaltz.edu to discuss sponsorship and giving opportunities.
Transportation for Life Summit
IDMH Interim Director Robin Jacobowitz and Program Manager Andrew O’Meara teamed up with Annie Yannotti of Office of Victim Services (OVS) to present at the Transportation for Life Summit, hosted by the NYS Bridge Authority. The hour-long presentation focused on personal and collective stress and resilience. The session began with an overview of findings from the NYS First Responders Mental Health Needs Assessment, continued with a focus on understanding stress, its effect on the body and strategies for building personal resilience, and closed with an example of a successful organizational initiative that promotes both individual and collective care within the workplace.
| |
NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Conference
IDMH Interim Director Robin Jacobowitz joined with Tim Graves of the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to present at the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services conference in Saratoga Springs in April. The presentation focused on the NYS First Responders Mental Health Needs Assessment, with a particular focus on outcomes for law enforcement. The development and implementation of peer support programs as a mechanism for providing critical support for first responders was also discussed.
| |
Individual & Collective Resilience Trainings
IDMH has worked with the New York State Department of Health for over 12 years, developing and delivering vital curriculum to support public health professionals in effectively responding to disasters.
Most recently, IDMH has developed a new curriculum titled Individual & Collective Resilience in Response to Traumatic Stress Exposure. This four-hour training focuses on identifying and responding to signs of mental health challenges that we might notice in ourselves and our colleagues.
Following the stepped care model of treatment, the training introduces participants to information about stress, tips for building resilience, and de-mystifies mental health treatment for common stress-related disorders.
Further, the training provides participants with informational resources and psychoeducation to build resilience and reduce the negative impacts of stress. It also introduces individual and collective resilience strategies through a worksheet to assess self-care practices, and explains in depth the various mental health conditions affecting health care workers and the accompanying treatment modalities to consider when seeking professional mental health assistance.
Andrew O’Meara, IDMH’s Program Manager, has delivered the training twice virtually to audiences exceeding 150 participants, as well as through multiple in-person training sessions.
If your organization is interested in receiving this training or discussing having it tailored to meet your organization’s needs, please reach out to Chrissy Lawlor at lawlorc@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3455.
New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners
On Saturday, March 21, IDMH Program Manager Andrew O’Meara presented at the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners Annual Conference in Tioga County, NY.
The 90‑minute presentation, Understanding the Tenets of Disaster Mental Health: Applications for Assisting the Bereaved, focused on applying disaster mental health theories and techniques when working with bereaved families following fatal incidents. Andrew presented during the afternoon plenary session on the second day of the conference.
The presentation explored how to recognize and conceptualize signs of distress, introduced foundational principles of disaster mental health and how they can be used to support individuals who are grieving, and examined essential practices related to self-care and burnout prevention while engaging in this difficult work.
This event was not only a valuable opportunity to present on a much-needed topic, but also an important chance to engage with and network among professionals doing this work every day. Thank you once again to the NYSACCME for inviting us to participate and for providing the opportunity to engage with your members around this vital, trauma-informed work.
| |
| From IDMH: Stay Connected, Stay Informed
| |
The Frontline Review is our biannual newsletter created in partnership with the NYS Department of Health. Each issue explores the critical intersection of frontline response and mental health, delivering timely insights, practical resources, and real stories from the field. Stay informed, inspired, and connected—subscribe today so you don’t miss the next edition!
| |
Contact Us
Institute for Disaster Mental Health
Science Hall 148
1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561-2440
Phone: (845) 257-3477
Email: idmh@newpaltz.edu
| |
|
