7-Dippity Disaster Mental Health Consulting
Mental Health is one of the most critical long-term needs of a community after a disaster or other large-scale traumatic event. Psychological effects can last for months and even years after an event occurs. If not properly addressed, reactions can lead to significant problems, including suicide. Yet mental health is often overlooked, under-resourced, and not appropriately supported long-term. Communities frequently need help to ensure mental health needs are fully understood and properly cared for in the wake of a disaster or other large-scale traumatic event. 7-Dippity can assist.
7-Dippity is THE leader in disaster mental health consultation. We help clients develop and implement effective initiatives to address mental health needs throughout the disaster cycle. Our data driven approach, coupled with our extensive hands-on experience and vast expertise is unmatched. We have assisted many communities affected by previous large-scale disasters both within the U.S. and internationally.
The following is a brief overview of just a few of the many disasters we have mental health initiatives we have conducted:
Texas Hill Country Floods – Youth Strong
In partnership with Mental Health America of Greater Houston and the H.E. Butt Foundation, 7-Dippity developed a specialized version of our Youth Strong material to support youth, families and their communities affected by the tragic 2025 Taxes Hill Country floods. The material helps youth and their families cope with the psychological effects of the floods and their aftermath. The material is supported by local school districts and other community partners.
Hurricane Michael Disaster Recovery & Mental Health Support Initiative
7-Dippity participated in a long-term initiative in support of Bay District Schools’ (FL) mental health response to Category 5 Hurricane Michael. As part of the project, 7-Dippity provided consultation, research, training, coordination, evaluation and grant-writing services. 7-Dippity helped the school district raise over $5 million dollars in grant funding dedicated to their mental health and resiliency programs post-hurricane. 7-Dippity also assisted in the integration of programming and services from key partners to support the school district and surrounding communities, including Yale University, UNICEF, University of Miami, Florida State University, Children’s Home Society of Florida, United Way of Florida and more.
Hurricane Maria Mental Health Awareness and Training
7-Dippity provided consultation, professional development and specialized psychoeducational tools to numerous agencies and organizations in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. In addition, in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina, Puerto Rico Department of Education, Carlos Albizu University and the University of Puerto Rico, 7-Dippity participated in a multi-year SAMHSA-funded initiative which provided training and resources to graduate students within local university psychology departments to further support the long-term disaster mental health needs of affected communities and encourage the students to remain and continue providing services in Puerto Rico post-graduation.
Hurricane Harvey
Working with UNICEF, Mental Health America of Greater Houston, United Way of Texas and local United Ways, the Texas Education Agency, numerous local school districts, Education Service Centers and other partners, 7-Dippity helped address the mental health needs of communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Support included consultation, professional development, coordination and the creation and implementation of specialized mental health resources.
Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Initiative
At the request of the U.S. Department of State , and in conjunction with the Japanese Mental Health Association of New York City, 7-Dippity developed specialized materials to assist with the mental health needs of children and families affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan. Working closely with partners in Japan, the psychoeducational materials were widely disseminated in communities and school systems throughout the country. The material and accompanying supports were helpful in providing important psychoeducational information to a culture that does not often openly discuss psychological reactions.
Hurricane Katrina Support Initiative
7-Dippity’s Hurricane Katrina Support Initiative was created in 2005 to help communities along the Gulf Coast recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Partnering with local, state and national organizations and governmental agencies, 7-Dippity provided much-needed mental health materials, training and technical assistance to providers serving affected communities and displaced residents. 7-Dippity also assisted in creating networks to hasten the flow of relief supplies and other supports to rural communities in southern Louisiana. In partnership with the Louisiana State University AgCenter and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, 7-Dippity provided needed resources and psychoeducation to families in even the most rural areas of Louisiana, where many other organizations failed to access. The initiative was in place and continued to provide assistance along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Gustav struck Louisiana and Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas in 2008.
After The Storm Project
7-Dippity created the After The Storm Project after a series of destructive hurricanes struck Florida in 2004. To assist children and families in coping with the psychological effects of the storms, 7-Dippity and Dr. Annette La Greca, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Miami, created a psychoeducational tool entitled After The Storm. The 40-page guidebook contains information and activities to help parents, caregivers and children cope with their reactions to a hurricane and its aftermath. The material also provides information to caregivers and other adults who work with children on recognizing signs of distress and understanding what to do if a child needs assistance. The tool became a centerpiece of the Project, in which 7-Dippity worked with governmental agencies, NGOs, school districts and service providers around the state to support the psychological needs of children and families.
9/11 Pentagon Responders Project
The Pentagon Responders Project was funded by a Department of Justice grant from the Virginia Office of Victims of Crime to assist first responders and military personnel impacted by the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. 7-Dippity’s role was to develop the project’s psychoeducational outreach materials and to establish partnerships with the entities providing support to 9/11 first responders, military personnel and their families in the Washington D.C. region (including Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. proper). The outreach materials developed by 7-Dippity include a peer guide entitled “Our Challenges, Our Responses” (to help first responders and military personnel cope with the long-term mental health effects of the 9/11 attacks and assist in preparation for future deployments) and a pamphlet entitled “Responding to Crisis” (to help family members understand how the culture of their loved one’s job influences their coping style).
Twin Towers Suicide Prevention Project for 9/11 World Trade Center Responders
7-Dippity created and implemented a large-scale depression/suicide awareness and prevention project for first responders to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, funded by the Twin Towers Fund. 7-Dippity worked directly with the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY), New York City Police Department (NYPD), Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) and Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City (REMSCO), as well as numerous other non-departmental providers. Materials for the project were based on a peer-to-peer model, using the responders themselves as the experts relating their experiences and coping advice to their respective colleagues, families and friends. Project resources were distributed throughout each Department and incorporated into a variety of departmental and non-departmental support programs. Materials and training were also provided to partnering community-based organizations supporting first responders to the 9/111 attacks throughout the Northeast.
Helping America Cope Project
7-Dippity established the Helping America Cope Project in direct response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Project materials used a unique resilience-enhancing model that helped children and adults understand and cope with their feelings and reactions to the attacks. Professional development workshops helped prepare mental health providers to better support the needs of their communities. 7-Dippity also helped establish numerous community-based networks which took a holistic approach to supporting the needs of individuals and families directly affected by the terrorist attacks. Funded by grants from Federal and State governmental agencies, charitable foundations, in-kind contributions and private donations, the Project assisted millions of people across the U.S.
For more information on a few of these projects, please click on a link below:
