Response to Study on Psychological Impact of
9/11 in The New York Times by Dr. April Naturale
Re "Sept. 11 Revealed Psychology's Limits, Review
Finds" (The New York Times, Health, July 28, 2011)
The lack of widespread, harmful psychological impacts from 9/11
spotlights several issues and provides important
recommendations.
It is noteworthy that the original calculations were identified
as "people at risk for development" and not necessarily hard
numbers of people who "would develop" serious mental disorders as a
result of 9/11 trauma. It also speaks to the fact that close to
5,000 crisis counselors who provided the type of mental health
service most closely aligned with what is now called Psychological
First Aid-long endorsed by the Mental Health Association of New
York City (MHA-NYC)-were dispersed throughout New York City and
surrounding counties. These counselors provided a supportive
presence, information about distress responses, coping tips, and
varied resources to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers through
Project Liberty, the mental health program funded by FEMA.
While we don't have causation data, is it no wonder that the
levels of diagnosable problems are low (although every individual
with depression, PTSD, and other illnesses is certainly of
concern). The ability for community members to come together and to
help one another in times of need is one of the primary factors
that contribute to healing. It is the very definition of
resilience.
Based on the takeaways from the study, mental health
professionals today know more about how best to treat large
populations. Though the process may be called into question, the
need for various mental health supports and mental health treatment
to more seriously affected populations is always present. LifeNet,
MHA-NYC's New York City focused crisis hotline, received dramatic
increases in calls from citizens, emergency personnel, and others
effected by 9/11. This made the 1-800-LIFENET crisis call center
the primary vehicle for mobilizing the largest disaster mental
health response ever undertaken in the United States.
In short, though certain psychological techniques work in one
context they may not work in others. However, this does not
diminish the pressing desire for treatment and the need for further
understanding about how best to administer it.
April Naturale
Former Statewide Director of Project Liberty
Director, Oil Spill Distress Helpline
MHA-NYC/Link2Health Solutions, Inc.