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E-News from Washington October 17, 2001 Vol. 01-24
 Licensed Mental Health Counselors Named in Trauma Aid Legislation

Since the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the fall congressional agenda has changed dramatically. As Americans deal with the tragedies, partisanship in Congress has ebbed and priorities have shifted. Although lawmaker's attention will likely remained focused on the economy and national security, additional measures related to the attacks may be considered.

 Among the measures that Congress may address in the coming weeks is the "Post Terrorism Mental Health Improvement Act." The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is intended to assist Americans suffering from psychological trauma resulting from the terrorist attacks. The bill seeks to offer treatment and support for all Americans, but would specifically target vulnerable groups such as survivors, rescue workers and children. The HELP Committee voted by voice vote on October 16 to approve the bill.

 Of key interest to the Association are provisions that would allow mental health professional associations, such as AMHCA, to apply for federal grant to train mental health providers to appropriately diagnose individuals who are victims of disaster. Licensed mental health counselors are among the list of mental health professionals specifically named in this section of the legislation. Under the bill, government agencies, as well as the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and other appropriate entities will develop training materials and procedures to assist those awarded grants.

 AMHCA has offered Critical Stress Incidence Management (CSIM) training at its annual conferences in Boston and Chicago. The bill would also authorize grants to school systems to develop programs responding to mental health needs of children following a disaster, including communications with parents and coordination with existing programs. It would also authorize grants to state and local governments to develop coordinated response operations, including trained mental health professionals, who can provide crisis counseling and information to the public. Mental health professionals would also be trained to be alert for signs of psychological distress that require clinical intervention, and to refer patients for long-term treatment if necessary.

 In addition, the legislation would require the establishment of a Mental Health Disaster Response Clearinghouse, including disaster response hotlines, to collect and make information available to state and local governments, schools, health care providers and the public concerning mental health needs associated with disasters.

 Further, the bill establishes a grant program for State and local governments to locate individuals in need of mental health services and to provide mental health services to these individuals , including medications, if necessary. Under the bill, crisis counseling services are to be made available for those who were directly affected by the attacks, and to those who were not directly affected.

 In a letter to Sen. Kennedy to voice the Association's support for the legislation, AMHCA president and Kennedy constituent Midge Williams said, "AMHCA applauds the introduction of this legislation and stands ready to work with you to ensure that the public's short and long-term mental health needs are met when disasters occur. We look forward to assisting you as you work towards enactment of this timely and important legislation." AMHCA is solidly behind this legislation and will work in the remaining weeks of this session to ensure its ultimate enactment.