Dr. Benjamin Keyes
Green Cross Academy of Traumatology calls for funding to sustain and grow its work providing trauma-informed mental health care in disaster, conflict, and high-stress environments. The volunteer-driven nonprofit focuses on early intervention, field-based training, and practitioner deployment, with the aim of supporting first responders and survivors at moments when access to care is limited or disrupted.
According to Dr. Benjamin Keyes, Director of Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, funding plays a central role in determining how quickly and effectively trained teams can respond when communities request support. From his perspective, early, skills-based engagement helps reduce the likelihood that acute trauma develops into longer-term psychological distress. “When people are given space and structure to talk through what they have experienced, it can change how that experience is carried forward,” Keyes explains.
Founded as a national initiative and now operating internationally, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology works by invitation, deploying small teams that collaborate with local, state, or national organizations through an incident command structure during and after crisis events. These teams focus on practical trauma response skills, including structured conversations, debriefing practices, and approaches designed to support individuals and groups in the immediate aftermath of traumatic exposure. Keyes notes that this work is designed to complement existing systems until longer-term services are restored.
Green Cross Academy of Traumatology is housed at Divine Mercy University (DMU), which serves as its primary institutional support and one of their training bases. Dr. Benjamin Keyes is a professor at the university and also directs the Center for Trauma and Resiliency Studies, which supports the Academy’s educational and deployment efforts. From his perspective, this partnership allows DMU and other organizations to remain aligned with real-world issues and conditions. “The focus is on preparing clinicians to step into complex environments with confidence and care,” he says.
Training has become a growing component of the organization’s mission. According to Keyes, many clinicians and first responders enter practice with strong academic foundations but limited exposure to hands-on trauma work. In response, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology has developed programs that emphasize applied skills, including how to work with individuals, families, and large community groups following crisis events. Training also covers how to support first responders, who may face cumulative stress while serving others.
To extend access to this training, the organization is preparing to launch a 16-week online course focused on cognitive behavioral therapy skills, designed for therapists working in high-stress or post-crisis settings, especially in war-torn areas around the world. Keyes explains that participation costs remain a barrier for many clinicians, particularly those serving in under-resourced regions. From his perspective, underwriting scholarships and course access is one of the most immediate funding needs, along with deployment.
Beyond training, sustained funding is also required to support deployment logistics. Travel, lodging, food, and on-site teaching resources must be secured each time a team is invited into a region. Keyes notes that Green Cross Academy of Traumatology operates with a lean structure, relying heavily on volunteers who commit their time and expertise. “The limiting factor is not willingness,” he says. “It is whether the resources are in place to say yes when the call comes.”
Current priorities include supporting small, mobile teams capable of rapid response, expanding international training hubs, and maintaining continuity in regions where long-term recovery is ongoing. According to Keyes, consistent funding allows relationships with local professionals to deepen, creating a pipeline of practitioners equipped to continue the work beyond initial deployments.
Looking ahead, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology aims to strengthen its ability to train more clinicians, support more responders, and reach communities navigating the aftermath of a crisis. From Keyes’s perspective, sustained investment ensures that trauma-informed care remains available when it is most needed. “Every deployment represents a moment when people are asking for help,” he says. “Having the means to respond is what makes that help possible.”
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Name: Benjamin Keyes, PhD
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