Terrorism Coverage

I read with interest about APA’s organized and comprehensive response on both the national and local levels to the tragic events of September 11. It was rewarding to see the results of many years of work that started with small committees eventually resulting in APA’s Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disasters.

Among the committee’s accomplishments were the development of a collaborative relationship with the American Red Cross to facilitate psychiatric responses to disasters and the presentation of disaster-response training programs at APA’s annual meetings.

The committee has assisted APA’s district branches by distributing training materials and developed a grant program that recognizes outstanding response programs to local disasters. The committee also worked with APA to develop a “disaster component” on its Web site.

I have continued with this work and have found that consulting via computer with disaster workers in other countries is effective in assisting traumatized populations. Internet communication makes it possible to remain in contact after completing on-site consultations.

Dr. Cohen is a former chair of the Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disasters.