Last week we remembered the first anniversary of the Surfside building collapse. At the onset of the tragedy, Wellspring provided emotional assistance to survivors through its D.E.R program.

D.E.R., also known as Disaster Emotional Relief, is a clinical intervention and psychoeducational hybrid service founded by Wellspring to help people heal after traumatic events in a community. This article will explore what this program entails and its purpose.

Why Did We Create the D.E.R Program? 

As a Christ-centered mental health organization, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth; therefore, Wellspring lives out His mission to serve others through our D.E.R program. The heart behind D.E.R. is to serve others through bearing their burdens (Gal 6:2).

This program provides services for adults and children who have experienced a shared tragedy. From gun violence to natural disasters, we know that trauma can be shared, but we believe that healing can also take place collectively. Research supports that clinical crisis response to disasters (manmade/natural) can decrease the long term risks of developing ongoing stress and mood related disorders (National Institutes of Health, 2019). Additionally, timely and professional responses to a shared trauma can help individuals access external and internal resiliency tools that aid in the capacity to move forward (National Institutes of Health, 2019).

What Kind of Services Does D.E.R Provide? 

Our D.E.R team serves as “second responders” to provide mental healing after traumatic events and help rebuild emotional well-being. We provide trauma education and therapy through group processing, debrief sessions, intentional listening, and other forms of group expressive/clinical intervention. Examples of our program in action include providing services in Key West in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and clinical and educational services after the Surfside building collapse.

Who Can Benefit From D.E.R? 

Anyone who is part of a group or community that has been impacted by shared trauma can request services through the D.E.R program. This program can benefit families, businesses, churches, missionaries, and broader community members.

If you are interested in D.E.R services, ​please contact our front office at 305-722-5380 or email programs@wellspringmiami.org