Mental health pros needed

“Did anyone else catch the call for licensed psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors to volunteer for service to the survivors, rescuers, families in NYC? I can sure see the need.

What do you think, Ped?”

“No I didn't, but it makes sense. Once people have done whatever they need to do, they will need a lot of support and some people will need professional support. For others, friends, clergy, family and neighbors can help.

Here, at the college where I work we are trying to make ourselves available to students who have been affected by the tragedy.

I've asked all my classes how they are doing, if anyone has anyone they are worried about and have offered to talk and help.
I am especially worried about one student who went to NY to be with family members who were waiting for news of a number of family members who worked together in the WTC. He wasn't in class Thursday. I am hoping he did not lose anyone.”

“I could use a shrink right about now. The TT therapy is no longer working.”

“This is a very, very good idea. Dealing with tragedies of this magnitude are hard enough for the general public, let alone the families who have to deal with the horrific loss of their loved ones. My heart goes out to anyone who's been affected either directly or indirectly(well, I guess in a way, we're all affected indirectly, aren't we?) by this tragedy.

Let's also not forget the need for support that the fire, police, EMS workers, rescue workers and support staff will require throughout this. Dealing with death on a scale like this is almost incomprehensible... it'll require a lot of talking and emotional support for these guys to make it through okay.”

“I definitely think this is a good idea. There are probably many people in NYC, DC that are going to need emotional support. Medic girl makes a good point about the rescue workers, they are going to have to see and deal w/ things that many of us are grateful we will (hopefully) never have to.”

“This brings forward my concern with the "business as usual" approach. I would like to see more recognition of this need to release certain persons with skills from their normal duties so they might help.

Ped, would your school let you leave and help in NYC? Should we all be able to mobilize in some form and contribute? We seem to expect firefighters and EMTs and police to drop what they are doing elsewhere and pitch in. Should my college tell staff and students with skills that they have permission to do the same? We certainly have counselors.”

“Watching the rescuers in NYC I couldn't help but wonder how people in German and Japanese cities dealt with the massive casualties of the bombing campaigns in the '40s.

I read an account of a man in a bomb shelter in Cologne.
The sirens sounded and people headed into the shelter.
He noticed a pretty young woman with long braided hair carrying a baby.
She went to the other end of the rather large shelter.
After a while the other end collapsed during the bombing.
He saw the woman and baby explode into flames before he scrambled out.

My sister's 19 year old daughter witnessed the attack from her dorm at NYU.
She saw people jumping.
I bet she wishes she never saw that.”

“LOL BacPac!

Imagine me as your shrink!!

Of course it would never work, because we are the same person - like Jekyl and Hyde. Remind me tho': which of us is normal and good? (or are we both diffent aspects of the dark side...).”

“My mind can't help but wander off of the current events and onto us going to our impending retaliation, and all the American lives that will be lost.

My therapy is to watch cable occassionally to take a break from the news. We have to try and stay sane, or else "they" won. I know it's easier said then done.”

“Tom, I think it is probably people like your neice that may need help dealing with this. When they started to show it on T.V., that's when I had to turn it off (to stay sane, like LH said). I am really glad I didn't see it the way she did.”