E-MAILS SENT R. AVALTRONI

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

• The phones are ringing off the hook. LifeNet, a confidential hotline (1-800-543- 3638) for mental health and substance abuse concerns, received 6,600 calls in January 2002, up from a monthly average of 3,i calls before September 11. > Twenty-one percent of callers were reporting either anxiety or symptoms of PTSD. > Many callers reported sleeping and eating problems, depression, and substance abuse.

• The American Red Cross and the September 11th Fund are going to underwrite the expense of extended mental health treatment for people who are at high risk for severe emotional problems (including depression, aggravated grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety and alcohol or drug abuse) due to exposure to the terrorist attacks. Applications for the benefit can be made by calling LifeNet (1-800- LIFENET) or the Red Cross's Sept. 11 call center (1-877-746-4987).

Web Links American Psychological Association's Trauma Page provides information from the APA on coping with trauma and getting professional help.

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies provides research and information about traumatic stress.

National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) provides information on a number of mental health surveys being conducted by the NIMH that will provide a snapshot of mental health in the U.S. before and after September 11. The site also includes information about mental disorders related to stress and trauma.

Project Liberty is an ongoing disaster-recovery initiative created by the New York State Office of Mental Health to provide free, irmnediate mental health counseling, education, and referral services to people affected by the World Trade Center disaster.

The PTSD Alliance has been created by an alliance of organizations concerned with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Sidran Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to research, advocacy, and education to help people who have experienced trauma.

Trauma Pages is a master resource created by a researcher in the field with links to numerous pages on PTSD and trauma.

Therapist Finder offers help to people seeking specific types of therapists in their area.

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