In this learning activity, you will discuss the impact of environmental disasters on overall psychological issues, including substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Instructions: 

Step 1: Review [30 minutes]

Review all the required learning resources for this lesson.

Step 2: Respond [105 minutes]

Prepare a 250-500 word piece of writing that explains how environmental disasters may increase or exacerbate the risk for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Ensure that your response includes the following:

• The impact of environmental disasters on developing a substance use disorder
• The impact of environmental disasters on mental health conditions
• The impact of environmental disasters on drug user/substance use related services
• Reference an example of a natural disaster in which there was a notable increase in substance use disorders

Step 3: Share [10 minutes]

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 4: Interact [10 minutes]

To complete the activity, you will need to reply to at least two posts made by your peers in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”