Updated:

May 8, 2026

CPD Course on Disaster Psychiatry

Overview

This module covers the basic and essential aspects of disaster psychiatry, including:

the common undercurrents of disasters
classification of disasters, phases of disasters
mental health impact including psychiatric morbidity (the common disorders seen in disaster settings)
predictors of psychiatric morbidity
screening tools for assessing mental health concerns
role of the mental health professionals during various phases of disasters
the role of resilience and its relationship with disaster management

This module on disaster psychiatry is targeted for the early career professionals in the mental health area. Resident doctors and students of clinical psychology, psychiatric social work or psychiatric nursing and other mental health professionals will benefit from this module. It may also help those volunteers who are interested to serve in the area of mental health.

Background

Disasters are a frequent and common occurrence, and there is a need to equip health care professionals with skills to be able to contribute towards mitigating the distress of individuals/societies during disasters. All disasters are bound to have mental health consequences/implications, which are no better demonstrated than the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. Also, the issue of climate change is an ever looming one. In the above context, it is imperative for all mental health professionals to have mandatory and basic knowledge on ‘disaster psychiatry’.

Affiliations of Authors

Dr Channaveerachari Naveen Kumar

Professor of Psychiatry, Head of Community Psychiatry Unit, Adjunct Faculty, Centre for Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management, Consultant in Forensic Psychiatry, Telemedicine Centre & Legal Aid Clinic, Dept. of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India

Dr Channaveerachari Naveen Kumar is a Professor of Psychiatry and the Head of Community Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru. He is also an adjunct faculty in the Centre for Psychosocial Support in Disaster Management; Consultant in Forensic Psychiatry, Telemedicine Centre & Legal Aid Clinic, Dept. of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India. He has worked extensively in the Himalayan Uttarakhand Disaster of 2013 and for setting up and co-ordinating the National Helpline for psychosocial distress during the first wave of COVID 19 in 2020. He currently is working for mental health capacity building in various states of India

Dr Suresh Bada Math

Professor of Psychiatry, Head of Forensic Psychiatry, Telemedicine Centre & Unit-5 (Adult Psychiatry), In-charge of Legal Aid Clinic, Consultant in Community Psychiatry, Dept of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India

Dr Suresh Bada Math is a Professor of Psychiatry and Head of the Forensic Psychiatry, Telemedicine Centre & Unit-5 (Adult Psychiatry). He is the in-charge Head of Legal Aid Clinic at the institute. He is also a Consultant in Community Psychiatry, Dept of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India. Has extensive experience of working during the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami in 2004 and in the Uttarakhand Disaster in 2013. Has published extensively on mental health aspects of disasters and is currently actively involved in making educative videos on diverse aspects related to mental health.

Former Senior Professor: Santosh K Chaturvedi

Consultant Psychiatrist, Former Dean, HOD and Senior Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India

Dr Santosh Kumar Chaturvedi; He is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Former Dean, Head of the Department and Senior Professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India. He has seminal contributions in the area of psycho-oncology and psychosomatic medicine in India. Has more than 600 publications in International and National journals in diverse areas of mental health. He has guided and mentored hundreds of students of mental health throughout his career.

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