9/11 Charities And Asian-American Community Leaders Conduct Outreach For 9/11 Mental Health And Substance Abuse Program

The Mental Health Association of New York City, The September 11th Fund and American Red Cross Spotlight Awareness, Prevention and Treatment of Emotional Distress Due to Events of 9/11

WASHINGTON, Monday, November 24, 2003 —

As part of an outreach campaign targeting Asian-Americans in New York City affected by the events of September 11th a press conference was held today by The Mental Health Association of New York City, The September 11th Fund and the American Red Cross. The charities were joined by journalist Lisa Ling, mental health expert Peter Yee, and chief of staff to New York City Councilman John Liu encouraging Asian-Americans to take advantage of the free program.

“A stone's throw away from Ground Zero, New York's Chinatown continues to suffer tremendously from the events of September 11th. Vast numbers of people in the community are struggling with severe trauma and don't realize that there is help available to them.” said Lisa Ling, journalist and host of National Geographic Ultimate Explorer, former co-star of The View, and an active supporter of the Asian-American community in New York City.

Councilman John Liu issued a statement: "I commend the American Red Cross, The September 11th Fund and the Mental Health Association of New York City for working to publicize the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program. Over two years later, the terrible events at the World Trade Center still affect many Asian-Americans not only in Chinatown, but across the five boroughs. Many of these people, who have needed help have not known where to go. I encourage

those suffering from anxiety, depression, or drug and alcohol abuse to contact the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program to get the help that they need."

“We are bringing together these organizations to promote the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program throughout ethnic communities in New York City,” explained Tracy Luo, Director of Asian Community Outreach for the Mental Health Association of New York City. “If people who speak Asian languages want to enroll, they can call Asian LifeNet and speak to mental health professionals who speak Chinese and other Asian languages.”

People who were directly affected by the events of 9/11 may be experiencing related problems such as anxiety, depression, headaches, and trouble sleeping or drug and/or alcohol abuse. The American Red Cross and The September 11th Fund established the joint 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program in 2002 to ensure that those in need of treatment as a result of the attacks have access to local practitioners of their choice regardless of their financial situation.

The program provides financial assistance with treatment costs dating back to the time of the attacks and is available regardless of where a person now lives. People can enroll by calling 1-800-LIFENET, Asian LifeNet at 1-877-990-8585, or by visiting www.9-11MentalHealth.org.

Treatment is flexible through the program. In addition to therapy, counseling, medication, and substance abuse treatment, participants can also take advantage of acupuncture. Currently over 6,000 people are enrolled with a projected enrollment of 15,000 in the next three to five years.

“Chinatown’s proximity to the World Trade Center site put many Asian-Americans and their families near the center of the tragedy, which makes them especially vulnerable emotionally,” stated Peter Yee, President of the New York Coalition for Asian American Mental Health. “Since 9/11, the counseling services made available to our community demonstrate that Asian-Americans can get help from someone who speaks their language and who understands what they’ve been through.”

“Everyone reacts to a tragedy differently, and your background and culture play a big part in how people ask for help,” said Carol Kellermann, CEO of The September 11th Fund. “By coordinating our support with other charities and cultural organizations we can offer more options, stretch our resources further, and hopefully, better meet the challenge.”

“Today we hope to bring the message to the Asian-American community so even more people will come forward for help through the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program” noted Alan Goodman, Executive Director of the American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program.

People eligible include family members of the deceased; people injured at an attack site; employees who worked in the World Trade Center area or the Pentagon; employees who worked below Canal Street and lost employment or wages; residents below Canal Street; rescue, recovery or construction workers, or morgue workers, who were officially deployed to any of the attack sites; children who attended school in the area and employees who worked at Ronald Reagan National Airport. In most instances, assistance is available to the affected individual and his or her immediate family members and others who shared a home with the individual.

The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program (SRP) provides a broad range of assistance and support to those most directly affected by the attacks including service coordination, access to mental health and health care, coverage of health insurance costs, group meetings offering information and support, and direct financial assistance. In addition, SRP continues to assist affected downtown residents who suffered the damage or loss of their homes. For information on services provided by SRP call (877) 746-4987, TDD 1-800-662-1220, or visit www.redcross.org/september11/help.

The September 11th Fund was established the day of the terrorist attacks by The New York Community Trust and United Way of New York City to meet the immediate and long-term needs of affected victims, families and communities. The Fund works by making grants to nonprofit organizations and agencies with the expertise to meet a wide range of needs quickly. A second fund was created September 21, 2001 from proceeds of the national telethon, America: A Tribute to Heroes. The Fund is chaired by Franklin Thomas, and governed by a board drawn from United Way, the Trust, and the civic and business community. Chief Executive Officer Carol Kellermann manages the Fund’s grant program, and a central staff, drawing on the resources of the founding organizations. One hundred percent of donations are used for grants; administrative costs are raised or donated separately. Find more information at www.september11fund.org.

The Mental Health Association of New York City is a private, not-for-profit, voluntary organization that promotes mental health through advocacy, public education and direct service programs to improve attitudes about mental illness, identifying unmet service needs and developing innovative solutions toward recovery, independence and productive life within the community. The Mental Health Association of New York City sponsors 1-800-LIFENET, the New York area’s multicultural crisis intervention and referral hotline, and Asian LifeNet, 1-877-990-8585, for callers who speak Asian languages. For more information visit www.mhaofnyc.org.