On our responsibility to create the conditions that mitigate disasters—preventing them when we can and supporting the physical and mental health of survivors when we cannot.
It has been hard to look away from the stories and images coming out of Turkey and Syria in the wake of the recent earthquake in the region. As many as 15,000 people have been reported dead, a number which will undoubtedly rise. Each day brings a new haunting image, a new story of how the disaster has affected individuals and families, a new reminder of the devastating effect of mass traumatic events. As the tragedy continues to evolve, my thoughts are with all of those who have been touched by this disaster, particularly the members of our school community with connections to the region. The process of recovery will be long. The physical and mental health effects of disasters can last years, even a generation. Thank you to all who are working in concert with global public health efforts to assist with the recovery.
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