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. 2020 Jun:288:113024.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113024. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Lessons learned from 9/11: Mental health perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic

Jonathan DePierro  1 , Sandra Lowe  2 , Craig Katz  3
Affiliations

Lessons learned from 9/11: Mental health perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic

Jonathan DePierro et al. Psychiatry Res. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic will likely lead to high rates of PTSD, depression, and substance misuse among survivors, victims' families, medical workers, and other essential personnel. The mental health response to the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks, culminating in a federally-funded health program, provides a template for how providers may serve affected individuals. Drawing on the 9/11 experience, we highlight effective prevention measures, likely short and long-term treatment needs, vulnerable subgroups, and important points of divergence between 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health monitoring, early identification of at-risk individuals, and treatment irrespective of financial barriers are essential for minimizing chronic distress.

Keywords: Disaster mental health; Emergency responders; PTSD.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Craig Katz is a paid consultant to the International Association of Firefighters Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery. Jonathan DePierro and Sandra Lowe have no competing financial or personal relationships that could have appeared influence the work reported in this paper.

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