Emergency mental health services during and after a major aircraft accident

A major commercial aircraft accident mobilizes a sophisticated disaster response by the federal government and local disaster teams. However, there is no effort to deal with the significant mental health needs of survivors, airline crew, ground personnel, and rescuers. The time has come to deal with the human tragedy and its emotional consequences. The development of an emergency protocol for response to mental health crises at the time of an accident must be confronted. An appropriate response on the part of the mental health community must address all persons involved in the accident. Management would involve a relatively brief length of time. Team members can include psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, psychiatric aides, airline representatives, clergy, and other trained personnel. The establishment of such a mental health preparedness program in crisis intervention must be the responsibility of the airlines, federal agencies, and others if the program is to be a success.