Clockwise from left: ARC/GNY CEO Terry Bischoff, Chief Response Office Scott Graham, and Director of Mental Health, Disaster Planning and Response Diane Ryan discussed future collaborations with Dr. Grant Brenner, Dr. Craig Katz and Dr. Sander Koyfman (not shown) from Disaster Psychiatry Outreach. (Photo: Anita Salzberg)

Greater New York Chapter Chief Executive Officer Theresa A. Bischoff and Disaster Psychiatry Outreach (DPO) Director Dr. Craig Katz signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Chapter headquarters in Manhattan on April 2, establishing a partnership that will help ARC/GNY strengthen its already-robust mental health assistance services for people affected by emergencies and disasters.

Disaster Psychiatry Outreach's mission is to alleviate suffering in the aftermath of disaster through the expertise of psychiatrists. ARC/GNY has worked closely with DPO since 1998 to provide psychological aid to disaster victims at aviation incidents, during the 9/11 response, after the August 2007 Brooklyn tornado, and at local fires.

During last month's crane collapse in Manhattan, DPO provided consultation and was on stand-by to provide staff should psychiatric evaluation or medication be needed.  "It's wonderful to know that if people are traumatized, DPO will be there to lend a helping hand," said Ms. Bischoff.