THERE IS HELP, THERE IS HOPE.
EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
BY MEMBERS OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH SYSTEMS (NAPHS)
As the nation responds to the events of September 11, 2001, behavioral healthcare providers around the nation are delivering vital outreach, education, and treatment services. The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) joins its member organizations in expressing our deepest sympathies and prayers to everyone touched by these national tragedies. The impact will be felt long beyond the events themselves, and we are grateful for the support our members are providing day in and day out in their communities.
The following listings (which will be continuously updated) may be helpful to provider organizations wishing to network with colleagues. We encourage our members to update listings by sending information to legis@naphs.org.
Mark Covall, NAPHS Executive Director
Alhambra Hospital, Rosemead, CA
Immediately following the events of September 11, Alhambra Hospital held a community education meeting for local group homes, schools, police departments, agencies, and physician groups. More than 1,000 people attended this event. The hospital offered a follow-up presentation in October to the community entitled "Dealing with the Effects of Terrorism and Making Positive Changes." Guest speaker was Dr. Joe Dadourian, an expert in crisis intervention and stress management who is also working with various area employers throughout the greater Los Angeles area to provide debriefings and education. In addition to a free October 9 education forum for the community, Alhambra Hospital provided on-site assessments and materials regarding stress management/depression as part of "National Depression Screening Day" on October 11. Area emergency rooms were also informed that the hospital’s MobileCrisis Response Team was available to provide assessments in Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
Anchor Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Anchor Hospital has been extremely involved in providing support and guidance to those impacted by the September 11 terrorist attack. To date staff have provided on-site counseling groups at the hospital and deployed a crisis response team to Hartsfield International Airport. Counselors were also on hand to meet arriving international passengers. Many had been diverted to Canada for several days prior to landing in
Atlanta. The hospital implemented flexible staffing schedules to accommodate staff wishing to volunteer their time or give blood at local collection stations, initiated a fund drive for victims and firefighters, provided clinical staff to man call-in lines at a local radio station, provided clinical staff to present "Coping with PTSD" on the local television station (Clear News), distributed printed materials addressing PTSD, Stress Disorders, Family Communications, and other related topics, and provided grief counseling for local flight attendants. Staff also conducted groups with in-house patients addressing any clinical concerns. Therapeutic issues of grief, stress, loss, anger, coping mechanisms, etc. were addressed.
Arbour Health System – The Trauma Center, Allston, MA
This outpatient program is part of Arbour Health System, a division of Universal Health Services. Created 15 years ago, the Trauma Center provides specialized trauma services to children, adults, and communities affected by traumatic events. In addition to serving the residents of the Boston area, they provide training and intervention on national and international disasters. Medical Director Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. is world-renowned in the field of traumatic stress. Beginning two hours after the September 11 attacks, The Trauma Center began providing services literally 24 hours a day to victims, their families, rescue workers, airline employees, schools, and countless individuals and communities who were seeking support. They have sent more than 30 people to provide services directly to victims in Manhattan and will be sending two more teams shortly. At the request of state officials, The Trauma Center sent eight clinicians to provide services on the day of the attacks to attendees at a state conference in downtown Boston. In two days, the staff provided service to more than 800 individuals in the form of either group debriefings and defusings, or individual assessments and counseling. Their office handled countless phone calls and consultations from people seeking information about how to respond to the distress in their particular community. Information about children was frequently requested. Printed materials, videotapes, professional, and internet resource lists were distributed as quickly and as often as possible to those in need. Their website (www.traumacenter.org) has also served as an important resource for the public.
AtlantiCare Behavioral Health, Northfield, NJ
As of 9/24/01, AtlantiCare have provided over 300 hours of on-site mental health services (distributed among 20 different staff members). Specific services have included mainly crisis debriefing and grief counseling. Services have been provided to the American Red Cross Center in Elizabeth, NJ; NYC Fire Department at Ground Zero; and the NJ Recovery and Victims Assistance Center in Jersey City, NJ. AtlantiCare Behavioral Health has also responded to numerous requests from area employers in South Jersey to provide EAP group counseling services to help employees process their feelings and help staff return to work. Area employers include Lenox China, Spirit Airlines, Shore Memorial Hospital, Atlantic City Medical Center, Atlantic City Government, and Atlantic County Government. AtlantiCare Behavioral Health is also working with approximately five different local school districts and the local college, Stockton College, to also provide students with some similar services. "From our perspective, the response from the provider community has been overwhelming," said Ted Stryker, Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. "We don't see the need for additional immediate services, but as this tragedy unfolds in the weeks and months to come, many people will need help with post traumatic stress disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders - which is where we will be needed. We need to be careful our staff don't burn-out during this ‘acute phase.’"
Belmont Pines Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Belmont Pines Hospital offered a presentation September 25 for all school personnel, probation officers, diversion officers, and some county officials. The focus was on dealing with repercussions of terrorism and how it affects children and adolescents. Media interviews have taken place with the facility’s medical director. The hospital has also made its gym available to the Red Cross, if needed, for a blood drive.
Brattleboro Retreat and Retreat Healthcare, Brattleboro, VT
Brattleboro Retreat and Retreat Healthcare quickly responded to the September 11 attacks by opening a toll-free Hotline for people who had questions about their own feelings about the event, their children's reactions, or mental illness in general. The questions were answered by licensed clinicians from the Anna Marsh Behavioral Care Clinic, which is Retreat Healthcare's outpatient office. They also immediately began a public information campaign. Clinicians took time from their schedule to answer media questions regarding the impact of these events on the overall public, on parents and children, and on the families, friends and co-workers of the victims. The clinicians also suggested positive, structured ways to channel the overwhelming desire to help those harmed in the tragedy. Within two days the Brattleboro Retreat coordinated and hosted a public forum that was attended by nearly 100 community members. The forum addressed two concerns: how parents could talk to children about tragic events and disasters, and how adults could better handle these types of events. Retreat Healthcare has also published information that explains the effects of these types of events. The publications were designed for distribution at the public forum, and are now available through Retreat Healthcare’s outpatient clinics.
BryLin Hospitals, Buffalo, NY
1-800-7-BryLin(1-800-727-9546) or 716-886-8200.BryLin Hospitals is a comprehensive provider of psychiatric and addiction medicine services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist those with acute psychiatric, behavioral and/or emotional problems that may be a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Many people who have debilitating anxieties, hallucinations, delusions or people
suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have sought treatment at the facility within recent days in light of this recent tragedy. Although located in Western New York, far from the happenings in New York City, the people touched and affected by these recent events spread far and wide. BryLin Hospitals are and will continue to be a resource for the community. A group of community outreach representatives travel across western New York to provide information to various referral sources (i.e. schools, hospitals, doctors offices, workplaces, health care and treatment facilities, county employees, etc.). They share information on the services provided, how to access services, who is appropriate and inappropriate, and also address any insurance issues that may be pertinent. Educating the community about the resources that are available is extremely important for making informed decisions as to what services are best for them.
Butler Hospital, Providence, RI
On September 24, Butler Hospital and Care New England hosted a public forum on the emotional effects of the September 11 attack. Responding to Disaster: Dealing with the Effects of the Attack was a free program for adults, teens, mental health professionals, and the clergy. Said Charles Staunton, M.D., associate medical director of the child and adolescent program at Butler, "It’s important that we do what we can to help young people to deal with many painful emotions—grief, fear, sadness, rage, helplessness—that may be affecting them." Topics covered included reactions to disaster (what’s normal, what’s not), methods of coping with post-disaster stress, when to seek professional help, post-traumatic stress disorder and other long-term effects of stress, reassuring children by understanding your own reaction to the events, how to answer a child’s questions about the attack, psychological outcomes of disaster (what to look for), course of bereavement in disasters, and mental health counselors (victims, parents, and counselors). Some of the effects of the terrorist attacks will not be felt for weeks or months, said Robert Kohn, M.D., a Butler researcher on stress and disasters and a mental health consultant to the World Health Organization. "Studies previously done at Butler Hospital with disaster victims have shown high rates of PTSD and major depression, often beginning months later," he said. "It’s important to know what to look for and what to do if there are signs of serious emotional problems down the road." Butler Hospital is affiliated with Brown Medical School and is part of the Care New England health system.
The BridgeWay Hospital, North Little Rock, AR
The BridgeWay Hospital has compiled a Resource Guide providing the public with information "When a Disaster Strikes.." The Resource Guide includes materials from professional organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the National Institute of Mental Health. The hospital has distributed the Resource Guide to schools, churches, community mental health centers, and other local organizations as a way of providing help for children, adolescents, or anyone who may experience emotional or behavioral reactions as a result of any type of trauma. The hospital also answered the call from Universal Health Services' Alan Miller to contribute to the New York Firefighter's Disaster Relief Fund. Employees have given generously and also donated proceeds from cafeteria lunches for several days.
Carmel Psychological Associates, Carmel, NY
In response to the recent terrorist attacks, staff have prepared for working extended hours, have accelerated intake for any case identified as reacting to or affected by the attacks, and have provided a 'yes' response to any payor who has asked the group to increase availability. "Access, in general, will be a challenge," says CEO Jeffrey M. Simon, Ph.D. "We were very busy before the attacks and anticipate a significant demand for treatment in the coming weeks as we are located in an area that is populated by many NYC government and commercial employees."
Fairfax Hospital, Kirkland, WA
Fairfax Hospital is offering support groups to the community to help individuals and families cope. These groups are free of charge and are being held on the hospital grounds. In addition to general support groups, Fairfax is offering a group on "Helping Kids Cope." The facility is also offering free assessments for individuals who may need hospitalization or another level of mental health care. These assessments are available 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. In addition, the hospital provides these services at several local Emergency Departments in the greater Seattle metropolitan area.
Forest View Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI
Forest View Hospital is a 62-bed psychiatric facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Due to geographic location, there were not many in the community that were directly affected and seeking immediate services following the September 11 attacks. One call for help resulted in an inpatient admission and follow up in the partial hospitalization program. In addition, the hospital's child/adolescent physician and his family were interviewed by the local television news station.
Fox Run Hospital, St. Clairsville, OH
The Assessment and Referral Director was interviewed on radio about "coping" and "how to talk to kids." In addition, a TV interview was provided for the 6:00pm news.
Fremont Hospital, Fremont, CA
On October 11, the facility invited the community to a panel discussion on Traumatic Stress in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The panel included three local psychiatrists as well as Fremont’s Medical Director, Dr. Fooks. Counselors were available to do assessments for individuals requesting them, with recommendations for follow-up care as appropriate. In addition, the CEO has been in communication with and on conference calls with the Hospital Council of Northern California, making providers aware of the services available.
Greenville Hospital System, Greenville, SC
A community forum was held by the local hospital system, its behavioral health services (Greenville Hospital System), and the local NBC-TV affiliate (Channel 4). In addition to presentations, there was a panel discussion with the audience. The event received local television coverage, which helped to provide information to a wide audience.
Heritage Oaks Hospital and Sierra Vista Hospital, Sacramento, CA
These two Sacramento hospitals have contacted local community agencies (including county mental health services, the local mental health association, school districts, the local American Red Cross chapter and blood banks) to offer services to support community efforts. Both hospitals are helping by offering various services. For example, they are utilizing Assessment and Referral departments for referrals to appropriate services (inpatient, outpatient, support groups, etc.). They are collaborating on providing counselors, support groups, and speakers for community groups or meetings. They are also providing professionals as expert speakers to the media and providing space in the hospitals for community speakers, special support groups, or meetings.
Intermountain Hospital, Boise, ID
Intermountain Hospital has contacted schools, law enforcement, and the Mountain Home Air Force Base to offer counseling services and support groups. A support group on "Helping Parents to Cope and to Help Their Children Cope with Tragedy" was held, and all proceeds are being donated to the American Red Cross. The hospital has also offered medical staff for media interviews. The hospital plans to follow up with counseling services as needs become identified in the community.
Liberty Management Group, Ramsey, NJ
Liberty Management Group operates two inpatient facilities in NY, and two outpatient clinics. Each is in the middle of a number of activities. Liberty’s clinics (in Manhattan and Queens) as well as their psychiatric hospital (also in Queens), are intimately affected by the events of September 11, 2001. They have been contacted by employee assistance programs (EAPs) and human resources administrators of many of the companies that were victimized. In addition, staff members have suffered personal losses of family members. Responses have focused in a number of areas. 1) Those clinicians who have Critical Incident Debriefing and grief counseling specialty skills are providing services to individuals who have been referred as well as to groups of survivors, emergency rescue workers, and families. People are coming to Liberty clinics to receive services, and staff members are going on-site to union offices (sheet metal workers, iron workers, electrical workers, firemen, EMS, and police) to meet with groups to begin debriefing process. Some companies (BCBS, Morgan Stanley, AIG, American Express, etc.) who were located in the WTC are using services for individuals who either escaped, are afraid to return to work (anywhere that might require use of public transportation), or have friends/colleagues or family that are missing. Space is being provided for EAPs and others to meet with some of the above clients in Liberty clinics. Since the companies lost their offices, but have their own EAPs, Liberty Management Group has provided space and phones for the EAPs to reach out or provide direct services to these clients. They are working with hospitals, relief agencies, emergency centers all connected to staff at Ground Zero to provide back up and direct services to rescuers. Some of the work is clinical, some is also focused on providing concrete, practical services. People who have lost jobs, homes, and offices need help with Workers Comp, unemployment, transportation, social services, schools, etc. 2. They are conducting Critical Incident Debriefing training for senior clinicians so that more are available to others and to help the facilities’ own staff. They are beginning to develop a training schedule for Debriefers (clinicans) who will need to be debriefed from their emotional trauma as this time of tragedy and crisis continues. This training will be ongoing over the next few months and be offered to outside workers as well as to our own staff. This will be a Care for the Caregivers training schedule. 3. Facilities are sharing every available piece of literature on this type of work with staff. 4. They have already visited and met with staff at all sites and with people who work in the field to begin their debriefing, provide a supportive network in the company for them and guidance as to how they can deal with their staff. This will be an ongoing responsibility and activity that senior management will be doing weekly with all levels of staff. Said Liberty Management Group CEO Gay Hartigan, "It is extremely important, I think, to be in touch with staff and vigilant about their emotions and reactions over time as certainly in New York there is no one untouched by this, and hence everyone will be in some state of PTSD and thus not as capable as those ‘untouched’ in other parts of country in dealing with this. This is certainly a unique time in our field and will probably make research history on how we cope as we respond and live and work in the real time of this crisis."
Maine Medical Center (see Spring Harbor)
McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
McLean Hospital is private, psychiatric hospital and a teaching facility of Harvard Medical School. In the wake of the tragedies of September 11, the hospital received calls for clinical services, advice for agencies and the public, and information for the news media. The hospital established a central intake for requests for professional services, and has made referrals of those who have been affected by the terrorist attacks. Numerous employees have volunteered their time to counsel those affected by the tragedy. Staff members have given presentations or provided advice to government agencies, schools, and local and national businesses. Other staff members have been asked to advise government leaders and public figures. Some staff have traveled to New York and Washington to provide direct help and assistance to victims and others suffering from post-traumatic difficulties. McLean experts have given statements to the media concerning the aftereffects of trauma on adults and children, and the nature of grief counseling.
Memorial Behavioral Health, Gulfport, MS
Memorial Behavioral Health personnel are providing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and crisis management information and expertise to DHS, ED's, mental health centers, pediatricians, schools, and private therapists in the community (by e-mail, hard copy, and in person where possible). They are also following up with day care, Head Start, Fire, Police, and ambulance personnel with information. They have provided information to the media through Customer Relations. They have received increased inquiry calls to their crisis number and admissions due to the media focus on the event.
Mesilla Valley Hospital, Las Cruces, NM
Mesilla Valley Hospital, a 107-bed free-standing psychiatric facility in Las Cruces, NM, has been responding in a number of ways. In collaboration with the American Red Cross, Las Cruces Fire Department, and the City of Las Cruces, Mesilla Valley Hospital is a drop-off site for monetary donations and non-perishable foods. The Director of Clinical Services, Elaine Crnkovic has been interviewed on local radio stations and by the local newspaper on how to speak to children about the tragedy and how to identify post-traumatic stress disorder. Mesilla Valley Hospital also has a Critical Incident Stress Management Team that responds to local incidents/disasters in which community members, employees, and others may need to speak with trained individuals who can debrief them and give them support. The CISM team has not been called out locally on the NYC tragedy, but is ready if needed. They are now training additional team members in order to accommodate a larger number of requests should the need arise.
Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT
Middlesex Hospital has been holding a "Moment for Reflection and Remembrance" every Tuesday at noon in the hospital lobby. This is a spiritual and sharing 15 minutes for any hospital employee, patient, or visitor who may want to take part. They also have a multidisciplinary team working on a response plan with representatives from Community Medicine, Chaplaincy, Family Practice Residency Program, Hospice, Behavioral Health, Employee Assistance Program, Human Resources, and Public Relations. Together with the hospital CEO, a letter to employees has been distributed. At the end of October, the Hospital in partnership with the Community Council (a group of young professionals) will host an evening of prayer and information. Featured topics will include PTSD, normal vs. abnormal responses for all age groups and at-risk populations, and a review of community resources. They have sent handouts on talking to children to all local schools and have a 24-hour crisis service for kids available to the community indicated on these handouts. They also operate a busy Crisis Service through the hospital emergency department.
The Midwest Center for Families and Youth, Kouts, IN
CONTACT: Chris
Kostbade, 219/766 -2999 or 1-888-629-3471The Midwest Center for Youth and Families is a Residential Treatment Center for children and adolescents ages 6 to 21. The organization contacted the local county American Red Cross Chapter and offered assistance (phone volunteers, any kind of donations that they may wish for). They will be notifying them of a date for setting up their site for blood donations. They have requested financial donations and have asked that staff remember them not only in crisis times, but throughout the year. The Midwest Center for Families and Youth staff have contacted the local and extending county schools and offered crisis counseling and other assistance that may arise as well. The local school authorities asked to be notified with the blood drive date, as they wish to participate. The organization has also been in contact with the local churches offering assistance and have been notified of open services and open prayer. Staff requested ways in which they can donate first aide supplies, etc. The facility is also working with county agencies in the event additional counseling is needed or workshops can be performed on educating their staff and/or the communities.
Montevista Hospital, Las Vegas, NV
Montevista Hospital is working closely with Harmony Managed Healthcare to provide support to casino employees who have lost their jobs as a result of the terrorist attack. Counselors from the hospital and Harmony are available on-site at the casinos to assist human resources and to meet individually with employees. Educational groups for crises in the workplace are also being offered.
New York Presbyterian and System Hospitals, New York City, NY
As a major receiving site for many of the injured from the attack, as well as a tertiary Burn Center, New York-Presbyterian and System Hospitals saw a major portion of those treated in the first 48 hours. "We also were involved with our own EMT's, two of whom were tragically lost, and ambulance services," according to Laurence J. Berger, VP Administrative Affairs, New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System. "Elements of Columbia Weill Cornell Psychiatry are counseling victims, rescuers and the public. With additional resources, these efforts could be expanded. Our web-site also has further information concerning our disaster response." See
http://www.nyppsychiatry.org/news/crisis.html.
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System: Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NYThe North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System set up a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week hotline voluntarily staffed by the system’s mental health professionals (516/718-470-8188). Each hospital that offers mental health services in the system and their affiliated hospice has participated. Individual and group counseling is being offered at a number of sites as well as support groups, if the need arises. The two tertiary hospitals each hosted an open house for the community to discuss coping mechanisms. In addition, the health system has responded to numerous requests to provide counseling for individual businesses as well as to EMT staff. Mental health staff have also responded to the New York City and Nassau County Departments of Mental Health to help answer centralized hotlines that have been established through these governmental agencies. North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System staff have been deployed to work directly with the Port Authority and at the DNA collection sites. The health system’s School Mental Health Alliance program is working with regional school districts to provide presentations related to the aftermath of the disaster for both faculty and student bodies. At Long Island Jewish Medical Center, the Hillside Division set up a crisis intervention team on the day of the disaster, adjacent to the hospital’s command center, to be available to any victims that may have been triaged for medical services. Unfortunately, there were very few patients sent to the hospital. Hillside Hospital staff also provided hospital-wide presentations regarding the system’s own response to the crisis and how to best help the staff, their families, and patients cope with this disaster.
Pacific View RTC, Gresham, OR
The facility is offering a community eduation/support meeting at a local church for families, school counselors, and mental health professionals in the Portland area. A presentation by the Medical Director will focus on ways to discuss the tragedies of September 11 with children.
Palmetto Health, Columbia, SC
Palmetto Health has provided five staff members to work in New York and Washington, DC, as crisis counselors through the Red Cross. Several other staff members have gone through the required training and are waiting to be called up. Staff members have also provided the media with expert help on traumatic events and have been contacted as part of several newspaper articles. Several new support groups (adults, parents) have been organized specifically to help with the effects of the attacks. These are now being promoted to the public. Palmetto Health also has an extensive speakers bureau that has become more active since the attacks. Two military bases nearby are being affected by the assignment of troops overseas, and there is likely to be a need for additional mental health services, especially for the families and children of these soldiers.
Pinnacle Point Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas
In a project begun before September 11, Pinnacle Point Hospital was recently involved in 40 hours of training with the Jefferson Institute of DC (contractors with the US Dept. of Justice) regarding a violent (mass casualty) victims crisis response initiative. (Little Rock is a possible terrorist target due to some of their military installations.) Also, on September 25, the hospital hosted a panel discussion at Central High School in Little Rock about how to deal with the aftermath of the Crisis with our Kids. Panelists included two police chiefs, therapists, a psychiatrist, the Mayor, school administrators, and others. It was covered by the news and moderated by a reporter. Flyers were sent out through the Chamber of Commerce to businesses, to all social service agencies, and 40,000 school kids in three school districts.
The Pavilion, Champaign, IL
Staff members at The Pavilion are providing assessment, inpatient, partial, outpatient, residential, and educational services, as well as providing increased involvement in public speaking engagements (in person and through the media). They are also participating in community task force teams.
Peachford Behavioral Health System, Atlanta, GA
Peachford Behavioral Health System has been responding on many fronts. The facility immediately answered the call of Universal Health System’s CEO to give donations on behalf of the New York Firefighter’s 911 Disaster Relief Fund. Community resources from the Red Cross and United Way were distributed to the staff to assist in crisis relief. The facility is also making plans to host a blood drive. Through the "Needs Assessment Department," support information is also being provided to the public (including "Facts for Families" on post-traumatic stress disorder, FEMA guidelines on how to help parents talk to children about terrorism, and APA fact sheets on how to help one’s family and self during this time of crisis). With Steven Jaffe, M.D., Service Director of Child and Adolescent Services, Peachford BHS is providing media outreach with information on how to cope as a family with the national disaster. The facility is also reaching area professionals through its newsletter and professional education programming.
Psychiatric Institute of Washington, Washington, DC
The Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) is working with the city of Washington and a coalition of behavioral health organizations providing 24-hour response capability. PIW has assembled staff members to work with the District schools, particularly special education schools. Two teams including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and other clinical staff are prepared to go where most needed at the request of the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Service, or District government. PIW also staffed the WUSA-TV-9 station in Washington, DC, and handled hundreds of crisis calls. They also participated with the DC Hospital Association and became the mental health resource and hotline for all the hospitals. Staff were also assigned to train and provide services to DC schools. They were also formally recognized for providing backup to Walter Reed Army Hospital and admitted psychiatric patients who were and still are being diverted.
Rogers Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc, WI
Immediately following the September 11 Attack on America, Rogers Memorial Hospital staff members served local and national crisis hotlines. The Hospital also hosted a community support presentation for parents entitled "What do I tell my children?: Families coping with a national tragedy." In the weeks following the attack, the Hospital established a Community Crisis Response Team to develop strategies for responding effectively to community emergencies, including terrorist attacks, that may occur in the future. We hope to respond to the needs of patients, staff, community, and the nation in a manner that matches needs with resources in a coordinated and efficient manner. Our Team plans to meet with city and state legislators to inform them of our interest, ability, and efforts to assist individuals who might benefit from our services in times of national or community crisis. The organization has also gathered donations from staff members to erect flagpoles at our facilities. Rogers Memorial Hospital is a freestanding, not-for-profit organization offering inpatient, partial hospital, and residential programs for individuals of all ages (www.rogershospital.org).
St. Dominic / Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson, MS
St. Dominic Behavioral Health Services held a community wide support and healing program on September 20, 2001. Clinical staff gave presentations and over 20 therapists were on hand to provide crisis counseling for participants. We are hosting grief and trauma groups throughout the State of Mississippi from now until the end of the year. Crisis counseling services are being made available 24/hours a day, 7 days a week. We have had therapists go into local schools and have provided presentations and lectures to over 1000 students. St. Dominic Behavioral Health Services has provided services to local business and industry by holding presentations on anxiety, trauma and grief. "St. Dominic/Jackson Memorial Hospital will continue to assess the needs of our community as it relates to the terrorist attacks and will provide educational and counseling services to anyone seeking assistance," says Trace Swartzfager, Vice President for Behavioral Health.
Shands at Vista (and the Shands Behavioral Health Network, based at Shands Hospital and The University of Florida), Gainesville, FLIn the wake of the September 11 tragedy staff members have met to review system-wide resources, in order to respond to mental health needs in the community. The stakeholders include the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida, as well as Shands at Vista, a non-profit psychiatric hospital providing a full continuum of care. The system operates 24 hours a day, seven days and week and has triage capability. Particular focus was put on outpatient capacity for crisis counseling and assessment. To that end, the organization made sure that providers can respond in a flexible way, and that schedules allow for additional emergency appointments with all providers. The Employee Assistance Program also was active in creating awareness as a potential resource for employees and families. Two weeks after the incidents of September 11, a needs assessment was conducted and found that counseling needs are being met adequately, but that there is a need to help parents more in dealing with children and adolescents, who feel disturbed and insecure after terror acts and talk of war. To this end, the facility is presently planning educational programs open to the public. They will also re-assess needs before the holidays, which this year also may affect people differently.
Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, MD
Sheppard Pratt is focusing on both short- and long-term responses to the national crisis. They are coordinating with the Maryland Governor around crisis response. Sheppard Pratt Health System is offering a variety of specialized services, including critical stress debriefings (e.g. around deaths), trauma services for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as inpatient and outpatient services. Sheppard Pratt is also sending counselors to area schools. Sheppard Pratt is also responding to a significant volume of media calls for advice on how to react to the tragedy as well as speaker’s bureau requests for schools, PTAs, civic groups, etc. They have organized a roster of professionals to respond to CISD requests and are expediting appointments for outpatients in need.
Sierra Vista Hospital, Sacramento, CA (see Heritage Oaks Hospital)
Silver Hill Hospital, Inc., New Canaan, CT
Silver Hill Hospital has taken steps to announce its willingness and ability to offer grief counseling, prevention, and treatment of post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression, and any other behavioral health-related symptoms through public announcements in the local press. Silver Hill’s clinicians handled numerous phone calls from people seeking information about how to respond to distress in their community, and provided grief counseling and debriefing to people experiencing serious emotional reactions to the tragedy. The hospital’s Community Outreach office has been informing the public through such methods as community bulletin boards on cable TV and public service radio and TV announcements. Silver Hill Hospital organized a program to help employers facilitate effective management of disaster-related workplace mental health issues. The program, entitled "Two Weeks After the Tragedy: Managing the Workplace Mental Health Issues," focused on detecting and managing severe distress, helping employees deal with family and personal issues, management and benefits issues. Silver Hill Hospital offers premiere facilities and programs, providing inpatient, outpatient, partial hospital programs, and transitional living. The hospital is located approximately 40 minutes from New York City. See www.silverhillhospital.com or call the Community Outreach Office at 800-899-4455, Ext. 2509 or 2575.
South Oaks Hospital, Amityville, NY
South Oaks Hospital's response to the need for increased mental health services in the wake of the September 11 attacks was immediate. Soon after receiving news of the terrorist strikes, a crisis response team was formed and a Community Grief Counseling Center was established. The on-site South Oaks Community Grief Counseling Center was put into operation on Wednesday, September 12, 2001, and regional newspapers and radio stations were advised of its availability to the public. Located in the South Oaks Chapel-Auditorium, it is staffed weekdays from 9AM-9PM and was staffed on Saturday 9/15/01 from 11AM-6PM and Sunday 9/16/01 from 12 noon-5PM. One volunteer answers phones while a clinician (psychiatrist, social worker, nurse, or counselor) is available for assistance by phone or in person to walk-ins. Private space is available for 1:1 counseling or to groups. Light refreshments are provided. In addition, 45 clinicians are volunteering their time during and after working hours to staff the Center on-site or by phone. There are also approximately 15 non-clinical staff volunteers to answer phones. During non-operational hours the phones are forwarded by the South Oaks Switchboard Operator and emergency calls are forwarded to on-call clinicians. Volunteer psychiatrists provide emergency medical consultation and referral as needed. The South Oaks Chaplain has also made his services available to those requesting it. As of Wednesday, 9/19/01, the center had received approximately 35 calls and 6 walk-ins. Several walk-ins were referred to clinics or emergency rooms for follow-up psychiatric care. One patient was admitted immediately to South Oaks Hospital for inpatient care and several were referred to South Oaks Affiliates outpatient service. Clinicians have reported that calls are of significant intensity, as several callers and walk-ins were either at the WTC or have immediate family members missing. Two callers reported harassment at work due to their ethnic/religious background. South Oaks has also established an off-site outreach program to provide grief counseling and debriefing to people experiencing serious emotional reactions to the disaster. To date, five South Oaks clinicians have provided off-site debriefing at several companies affected by the tragedy, fire departments, and at Kennedy airport. School districts have also made inquiries regarding the availability of on-site counseling at schools. Outreach calls and an offer to provide services were made to local police and fire departments. The facility anticipates that community needs will grow significantly as missing persons are confirmed deceased or declared legally deceased. Many emergency workers and families remain in the "action mode" and have not yet experienced many of the problematic symptoms that are expected in response to such a profound disaster.
Spirit of St. Louis Hospital, St. Charles, MO
The hospital is planning press releases on various topics through out the year. They have contacted all media outlets about their present availability.
Spring Harbor and Maine Medical Center, ME
Spring Harbor Hospital and Maine Medical Center offered up counseling services to the local chapter of the American Red Cross, to the Portland International Jetport, and to a local TV station's call-in "helpline." They also offered on-site emotional support to staff and are sponsoring a "vacation time sell-back" as a means of assisting employees who are interested in using this vehicle to contribute to disaster relief efforts.
Streamwood Hospital, Streamwood, IL (greater Chicagoland area)
The hospital sent press release to 3 police departments and social/ civic groups offering their help debriefing and their expertise to speak related to the crisis.
Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital, Kansas City, MO
Immediately following the attack, Two Rivers Mobile Assessment Team was put on alert. The team responded to requests for information about Critical Incident Stress Management. Several ER's were concerned about seeing increasing numbers of patients coming to their ER's in crisis. Since the attack, that has not happened. In fact, the opposite has happened. The Mobile Assessment activity has decreased. However, the number of admissions for inpatient treatment has increased as well as crisis calls. The hospital is expecting a more delayed response from the community at large. What is being handled now are patients in crisis who have a previous history of treatment with exacerbative symptoms which may be caused by the attacks. When an individual directly or vicariously experiences an event so sudden, overwhelming, and alarming that it inundates their coping capacities, a Post Traumatic Stress disorder can result. Often, the individual may not be immediately aware of the impact of the event- initially all efforts may be directed toward simply surviving the circumstance at hand. In the days, weeks, and months following the occurrence, the person may begin to become more aware of symptoms and dysfunction. Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital has a specialized program for the treatment of Trauma-Based Disorders. Program director Dr. Laura Noll, has been trained by the U.S. Department of Justice in Traumatic Grief and Vicarious Traumatization. In October, she will be holding a training for a group of Justice Department agents in Kansas City, MO. Two Rivers in association with the Masters & Johnson Institute established the program in 1991. Over the last few years, the program has expanded its expertise into the area of Traumatic Grief and Vicarious Traumatization. Dr. Noll is also trained by the Red Cross in Disaster Response. Typical patients include those with a history of childhood abuse and neglect, victims or witnesses of violent crime, natural disasters, or other traumatic events. The program specializes in recovery skills that help to stabilize intrusive recollections or re-experiencing of the trauma. The average length of stay at the Masters and Johnson Program for Trauma-Based Disorders at Two Rivers is 15 days. In addition to specialized programs and services for persons suffering from trauma, Three Rivers will be going out in the community this year for depression screening in October. Screening will be provided at libraries, YMCA, and community centers.
Valle Vista Hospital, Greenwood, IN
Staff participated in their local "Red, White, and Blue Day." Managemetn staff will help raise money with a barbeque and car wash, with donations collected for the Greater New York Hospital Foundation. To date, several thousand dollars have been raised. An October "Food for Thought" presentation focused on helping professionals who deal with victims to do their own stress management.
Vista del Mar Hospital, Ventura, CA
Hospital staff offered assistance to a wide variety of community groups (including the Ventura Unified School District, the Point Mugu Naval Air Station, the Ventura County Police Department, etc). Medical Director Dr. Carvalho was scheduled to be on TV (local channel 3) to talk about the national crisis and ways to deal with feelings regarding the attack. The hospital also scheduled a community and primary care physician workshop on ways to handle grief, loss, and anger issues (on October 22 and November 5).
West Hills Hospital and Willow Springs RTC, Reno, NV
West Hills Hospital has implemented the following services to help aid the community in that wake of the tragic events of September 11. Assessment and Referral are continuing to provide services for individuals having trouble related to the attacks. Designated staff members are made available to liaison with the media regarding mental health issues around the attacks. The Assessment and Referral Department has been a community resource for agencies in Northern Nevada that provide services in the outlier counties. Dr. Keith Croskery Ph.D. is a member of the Carson City Crisis Response Team Task Force. Staff from West Hills Hospital are members of the Washoe County Disaster Response Team, the Sierra Nevada Critical Incident Stress Management Network (SN-CISM-N), and the National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA). West Hills Hospital was also the host of National Depression Screening Day on October 11, which received extensive press and TV coverage. Dr. Granger and other members of the staff are on Active Reserve Duty at Fallon Air Force Base.
Windsor Hospital, Chagrin Falls, OH
Counselors were sent to local schools to provide assistance, and the media were informed about the hospital’s availability to help with debriefing and other needed services. The hospital also arranged fo the mobile blood bank to park at the hospital.
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