New approaches to disaster mental health: What did we learn from September 11th?

The present article reviews the approaches taken by various mental health professionals and organizations in helping individuals affected by the World Trade Center attacks of September 11th, 2001. Approaches to distributing information about the psychological effects of the disaster and providing counseling and psychotherapy to those affected are discussed. The author proposes a model based on providing information, in addition to counseling and psychotherapy, which describes the current state of helping those affected by terrorist attacks. Implications of this article for future research and scholarship in this area are also discussed. © 2005 Society for Police and Criminal Psychology.