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Contextualizing trauma: using evidence-based treatments in a multicultural community after 9/11
Randall D Marshall1, Eun Jung Suh
1Trauma Studies and Services, New York State Psychiatric Institute Unit 69, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA. randall@nypsi.cpmc.columbia.edu
The Psychiatric Quarterly
|December 23, 2003
Summary
The 9/11 attacks highlighted gaps in mental health preparedness for mass trauma. Evidence-based treatments like Prolonged Exposure Therapy are effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following terrorism.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Public Health
- Trauma Studies
- Disaster Mental Health
Background:
- The 9/11 terrorist attacks revealed a lack of preparedness within the mental health community for treating survivors of mass trauma.
- Terrorism's objective to induce fear and uncertainty necessitates a strong focus on mental health interventions and public health strategies.
Observation:
- Post-9/11 surveys indicated widespread psychological distress, affecting hundreds of thousands beyond direct survivors.
- A collaborative effort was established to enhance training and treatment capacity for trauma-related psychiatric issues in Manhattan.
Findings:
- Evidence-based treatments, specifically Prolonged Exposure Therapy, demonstrated success in treating 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Unique clinical challenges emerged, including cultural influences on presentation and treatment, nuanced risk appraisal in avoidance behaviors, and adaptation to ongoing threat.
Implications:
- Addressing secondary consequences like grief, unemployment, and existential fears is crucial for comprehensive recovery.
- Therapists working within traumatized communities face unique challenges, requiring specialized support and self-awareness.
- Future disaster response planning must integrate robust mental health support systems and culturally sensitive treatment protocols.