ABSTRACT

In summary, even conservative estimates indicate a staggering need for public outreach, education, and acute mental health care following a CBRNE event (Hall et al., 2002). The behavioral health and psychological consequences of a terrorist event may well be the most widespread, long-lasting, and expensive consequences (Warwick, 2001). Susser, Herman, and Aaron (2002) emphasize that the psychological damage caused by the attacks of September 11 mirrored the physical destruction, and illustrated that protecting the public mental health must be a component of the national defense. Comprehensive planning for terrorist events must include the psychological impacts of these events on the survivors and on the responders; otherwise, planning efforts are incomplete and do not recognize the most fundamental of damages inflicted by terrorism.