HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has announced steps the department is taking to respond to the immediate and long-term emotional and psychological impact of the loss of life and damage caused by terrorists in New York, Washington, D.C.,. Pennsylvania and throughout the nation.
The HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has stated that parents can help their children understand; and that some children may have reactions very soon after the event. Other reactions to the event may occur later. SAMHSA further indicates that physical and emotional reactions to a disaster are normal.
For additional information from HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), go to their web site at www.samhsa.gov and click on "crisis counseling." Or go to the HHS web site at www.hhs.gov./news.