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Crisis > Help After Disaster

Crisis Intervention and Ongoing Support after Disaster

Terrorism, war and natural disasters have affected all of us. Even those of us not directly affected may continue to feel confused, frightened, sad, angry or powerless. For help dealing with these feelings, read Coping with Troubled Times.

MHA offers ongoing support to individuals impacted by the hurricanes and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including information and referral, individual and group services. For those residents of Westchester, Putnam and surrounding counties, and their families, who were involved in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the attacks, we offer the CREW program.

We are offering short-term support to those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Read about Coping with the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In addition, MHA of Westchester and other community agencies continue to provide to individuals, families, schools and community groups crisis intervention, grief counseling and trauma debriefing relating to the events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Fees vary by program. Contact the individual agency for specific information. Please review the options below to determine which resources best meet your needs and the needs of those you love.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

In some instances, tragedies can trigger, or retrigger, an extremely debilitating condition called Post-Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can occur after exposure to a terrifying event, such as a terrorist attack, in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.

People with PTSD can experience emotional numbness, sleep disturbances, anxiety and irritability or outburts of anger. People who are exposed to trauma, even repeated news coverage of traumatic events, can experience elements of PTSD without having the full-blown disorder.

MHA of Westchester has clinicians who are trained and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a specialized treatment technique for individuals suffering with PTSD.

On this site is additional information on PTSD as well as links to other sites about PTSD.

Our In-Person Help for Individuals and Families

Our outpatient mental health clinics have therapists available to individuals or families who have been affected by this tragedy.

In central and southern Westchester, therapists are available at our Elmsford location:

Sterling Center
2269 Saw Mill River Road, Building 1A
Elmsford, NY 10523
Karen Roth - 914-345-5900, extension 294

Click here for How Can I Get Here?

Therapists are available:

  • Monday - 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday - 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday - 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Friday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

In northern Westchester, therapists are available at our Mt. Kisco location:

Northern Westchester Counseling Center
344 Main Street, Suite 301
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Irwin Lubell - 914-666-4646, extension 111

Click here for How Can I Get Here?

Therapists are available:

  • Monday - 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday - 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday - 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Thursday - 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Friday - 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Our Telephone Help

For persons who are affected by disaster and would prefer to speak with someone on the phone, our Information and Referral Service is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 914-345-5900, extension 240.

For persons in crisis, we provide 24-hour, seven-day-per-week assistance at 914-347-6400.

Our Help for Schools or Community Groups

Schools or community groups who desire help for their members and loved ones may contact Blanche Goodman by phone at 914-345-5900, extension 245.

Other Assistance

Our local chapter of the American Red Cross can be reached at 914-946-6500, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. At other hours please call 914-682-2299. They are located at:

106 N. Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603

The National Mental Health Association can be reached by phone at 800-969-6642 and on their web site http://www.nmha.org. Of special help are their sections on

Helping Children Handle Disaster-Related Anxiety
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/children.cfm

Helping Children Cope With Loss
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/childcoping.cfm

Coping With Disaster - Tips for Adults
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/adulttips.cfm

Coping With Disaster - Tips for Older Adults
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/olderadulttips.cfm

Coping with Disaster - Tips for College Students
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/collegetips.cfm

Time for Reassurance
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance.cfm

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
http://www.nmha.org/reassurance/ptsd.cfm



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