Becoming a Mental Health Volunteer - American Red Cross



Becoming an American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteer

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Can anyone become a Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteer?

1. To be eligible as a Disaster Mental Health volunteer for either local or national relief operations, an individual must have an active, unencumbered and unrestricted state license issued by a state or U.S. territory licensing authority.

NOTE: A state certification is allowable as noted in criterion b. shown below.

In addition to the requirements above, the individual must:

a. Have an independent license (license to practice without supervision) and a master’s degree as a clinical social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychiatric nurse, or psychiatrist OR

b. Have a state license or state certification and master’s degree as a school psychologist or school counselor issued by a state board of education (this is an expansion to the DMH eligibility requirements cited in 2008) OR

c. Have a state license and a bachelor’s degree (BSN) as a registered nurse and American Nurses Credentialing Center certification for psychiatric and mental health nursing to include RN-BC or PMHNP-BC or PMHCNS-BC.

NOTE: Graduate student teams are eligible to work in DMH. Details are available upon request.

What if I don’t meet the requirements to serve as a Disaster Mental Health volunteer?

1. If you don’t have the license/credentials to provide mental health services, don’t worry. There are PLENTY of other jobs that you may wish to perform. These include jobs like sheltering, mass care (feeding), client casework, logistics, health services, and many more. To find out about other volunteer job opportunities please visit:

What if I’m already a trauma specialist – why do I need special training?

1. The Red Cross has a specific role in disaster response that is different from the typical work of most mental health professionals. Training is needed to understand that role.

2. In order to minimize frustration, you need to understand the disaster response system and organization of the American Red Cross.

3. Some trauma interventions are not accepted as appropriate by Red Cross in the early aftermath of disaster. Our training will describe how Red Cross responds to disaster related trauma.

Where do I start?

1. Anyone interested in volunteering with the American Red Cross should visit this website:

2. Click on the Disaster Mental Health Volunteer Application and answer each of the questions.

3. Be sure to indicate the Red Cross Chapter with which you wish to affiliate.

4. When the form is completed, click on “Submit.”

5. You will receive an email from Volunteer Connection with instructions for logging into your new personal account.

6. On the Home page of your account, click on “Register for Orientation.” Enroll in the training session of your choice. You will receive a confirmation email with detailed information.

7. Click on “Interest Indication.” Check the appropriate boxes and click on “Continue.” In the Opportunities list, click on “Disaster Mental Health Volunteer.”

What happens next?

1. You will be contacted by email and asked to participate in a required online training. In order to make this easier for you, we’ve arranged to offer all the other required courses on a single day.

What are these other required courses and steps?

1. Disaster Mental Health volunteers need to take:

a. Volunteer Orientation

b. Disaster Services: An Overview Module 2

c. Foundations of Disaster Mental Health

2. In addition, at a later date, we’ll ask you to take a Red Cross course entitled: Psychological First Aid.

3. There are many other interesting Red Cross training events available. We encourage you participate in these to enhance your understanding of Red Cross operations and to help make you a more effect disaster responder.

4. Finally, we’ll ask you to:

a. Fill out a health status record.

b. Give permission for Red Cross to conduct a criminal background check.

c. Let Red Cross take a picture for your photo ID.

d. Be sure to bring your professional license to this day-long training event.

5. After you’ve completed these steps, you will be ready to provide mental health support to disaster survivors in your community, or to be deployed for out-of-state assignments.

Please Get Started Right Now!



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