Lower Manhattan health and safety web page content draft, 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

MENTAL HEALTH If you are experiencing mental health issues relating to the WTC disaster, you’re not alone. To help you cope with your feelings, this section provides an update on the status of New Yorker’s mental health and numerous places to turn to for support.

Menu Feature article on charities providing mental health aid Status of New Yorker’s Mental Health Mental Health Resources

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Facts about New Yorkers’ Mental Health The following statistics show that months after the WTC collapse. New Yorkers continue to experience emotional difficulties.

• TV can take a toll. New Yorkers who watched more than 12 hours of television a day after the WTC disaster were more psychologically distressed the second month after attacks than the rest of the population. (Journal ofthe American Medical Association, August 7, 2002)

• New Yorkers are more at risk for psychological distress. In the second month after the attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were reported 2.9 times more often in the New York City area than in the rest of the country. (Journal ofthe American Medical Association, August 7,2002)

• PTSD can happen to anyone. Nearly 40% of New Yorkers interviewed in February said they had symptoms suggestive of PTSD. By comparison, the national average is only 6%. (New York Academy of Medicine, April 2002)

• Forty-three percent of New Yorkers surveyed in February express feelings of hopelessness and fear about the future. (New York Academy of Medicine, April 2002)

• Did you know that 76% of New Yorkers are interested in seeking help fi-om mental health support services because of September 11? And only one-third of those interested have actually sought counseling or assistance. (New York Academy of Medicine, April 2002)

• At the beginning of 2002, overall rates of PTSD and depression in New Yorkers were two to three times as high as those normally found in any given year. (AYvv England Journal ofMedicine, March 28, 2002)

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