A new study which looked at the change in the number of users of the services of the Mental Health Association of New York City has provided evidence that, although the physical impacts of a disaster can be quickly overcome, the affects on employees may last much longer.

Five years after the September 11 attacks, the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA of NYC) reports that call volume to its 1-800-LIFENET hotline remains at more than twice that received before September 11, 2001. Call volume now averages over 8,000 per month, as compared to about 3,000 per month prior to September, 2001.

1-800-LIFENET is New York City's official mental health crisis, information and referral hotline, operated by the MHA of NYC, and the national call center point-of-entry for the American Red Cross 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program.

"Despite selective promotion of the hotline in the past three years, call volume has remained very high. This probably reflects both some increase in the need for services, as well as a greater comfort level with seeking help. One of the consequences of 9/11 and other subsequent disasters has been a greater appreciation and acceptance of the need for mental health services as an important part of disaster recovery," says Dr. Gerald McCleery, associate executive director of the MHA of NYC.

Potential symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include anxiety, nightmares, fear of places or situations that can spark memories of the event, irritability or anger, trouble with relationships or work, difficulty focusing, increased substance abuse, guilt for having survived, and a pervasive feeling of imminent danger.

•Date: 7th September 2006• Region: US/World •Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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