7 research outputs found
Was There Unmet Mental Health Need After the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks?
Background This study examined the
use of professionals for mental health problems
among New York City residents who were directly
affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on
the World Trade Center (WTC) or had a probable
diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or
depression in its aftermath. Correlates of help seeking
from professionals for mental health problems after
the attacks and barriers to care were also assessed.
Method Data were from a random digit dial telephone
survey of 2,752 adults representative of the
Greater New York Metropolitan area conducted
6 months after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Results Fifteen percent of those directly affected and
36% of those with probable PTSD or depression
sought help from a professional for a mental health
problem after the attacks. There was little new utilization
of professionals for mental health problems
after the attacks among persons who were not already
receiving care prior to September 11. Barriers that
prevented people from seeking help for mental health
problems 6 months after the September 11 attacks
included traditional barriers to care (e.g., cost) and
barriers that are unique to the post-disaster context
(e.g., the belief that others need the services more
than oneself). Conclusions This study suggests that
there was potential unmet mental health need in New
York City 6 months after the September 11 attacks on
the WTC, but these findings should be tempered by
research showing an apparent decrease in populationrates
of PTSD. In the aftermath of a disaster, interventions
should target persons with mental health
needs who were not previously seeking help from a
professional for a mental health problem.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40299/2/Stuber_Was There Unmet Mental Health Need_2006.pd