NM MEMS Framework

The New Mexico Modular Emergency Medical System (NM MEMS) Framework

Summary: This function is a network of psychosocial services, including traditional behavioral health services, crisis response, and psychological first aid, to support individuals, families, communities and emergency responders (including health care workers) during a widespread public health emergency (i.e. an infectious disease pandemic) or other catastrophic event (i.e. a natural disaster), where systems delivering such services will be inadequate or unavailable.

Description: During a public health incident, collaboration among various agencies, communities and individuals to provide ongoing services will be required on an ongoing basis for an extended period of time. The concept of “delivery of care during overwhelming medical surge” applies to psychosocial services, similar to other health care services. Thus, while a response to individuals in need of psychosocial services during an incident will be a priority, the resources required for delivery of such services to individuals will be exceeded by the demand. While the State’s existing behavioral health assets will be utilized as available, due to the increase in demand for services and the shortages of personnel that will likely occur during the incident, it will be necessary for> emergency volunteer groups, faith-based organizations, community service organization, and the general public to assume new roles and responsibilities relating to the emotional well-being of family, neighbors and fellow community members, particularly at-risk individuals.

Planning Assumptions:

a. Psychological support is considered to be an extension of the personal health care responsibility of every individual that must be shared by all affected by the incident.

b. The need for psychosocial support may be required for several months to a year following an incident and will largely depend upon individuals, communities, family members, and co-workers to support each other.

c. The success of NM MEMS and the State’s response will rely, in part, on the public’s awareness of the incident, as well as their level of individual emotional and physical preparedness.

d. As part of ongoing emergency preparedness planning, it is the responsibility of lead agencies of the State to provide to all public and private sectors community (both pre-incident and on an ongoing basis) available information regarding potential incidents, as well as instruction related to emergency awareness and preparedness (i.e. personal and family coping strategies and the basic principles of psychological first aid).

e. The NM Human Services Department (HSD) is the State Mental Health Authority. They have the responsibility to negotiate with the federal government when the state is eligible for FEMA’s crisis counseling funding. HSD is also the lead agency for the Behavioral Health Collaborative which oversees mental health and substance abuse services throughout the state. Local Collaboratives identify needs, help develop a range of resources and ensure the responsiveness and relevance of behavioral health services.

f. The full range of psychosocial needs will be addressed ranging from psychological first-aid from neighbors to the needs of those with behavioral health disorders.

g. The training of health care workers, especially in behavioral health, will comprehensively address the concepts of disaster mental health, including the unique emotional aspects and effects of a prolonged public health emergency, as well as the appropriate clinical interventions designed to address both acute and long-term traumatic stress disorders related to a prolonged and/or catastrophic incident with high levels of mortality.

h. Consideration must be given to the disruption in treatment for behavioral health disorders among patients presenting during medical or patient surge, particularly the need to ensure availability of psychotropic medication and treatment for displaced community members (e.g., shelter residents, AOCA, and CO).

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