Citation

Renzulli DR, Mebane F, Sieff E. Psychiatr. Serv. 2006; 57(9): 1339-1341.

Affiliation

Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.57.9.1339

PMID

16968768

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined news coverage of mental health resources after the attacks of September 11, 2001, in order to inform mental health disaster planning and response. METHODS: Keyword searches resulted in a random sample of stories reported in the United States between September 11 and 25, 2001. A total of 10,428 stories combining attack and mental health terms were gathered, and a sample of 438 articles that mentioned mental health formed the basis of this content analysis. RESULTS: Of the 438 reports in the nationwide sample, 35 (8 percent) identified at least one risk factor for developing emotional problems after the attacks, 204 (47 percent) described at least one coping mechanism, 25 (6 percent) provided contact information for support, and 97 (22 percent) cited expert sources. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study suggests a need to evaluate and improve the dissemination of mental health information to help the public cope in the aftermath of disasters.

Language: en