FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Contacts:        Tracy Gary, American Red Cross (646) 826-3260

                                                                                                     Jeanine Moss, The September 11th Fund (212) 686-7097

                                                                                                     Janet LeMonnier, MHA of NYC (212) 614-6398

  

ORGANIZATIONS ANNOUNCE NEW ONLINE ENROLLMENT FOR
9/11 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM

 

www.9-11MentalHealth.org introduced by

The American Red Cross, The September 11th Fund and

Mental Health Association of New York City offers confidential online enrollment

 

 

New York, NY, September 10, 2003…The American Red Cross, The September 11th Fund and the Mental Health Association of New York City have announced the launch of a Web site, www.9-11MentalHealth.org, to encourage people affected by the September 11 attacks to enroll in the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse assistance program.

 

The Web site provides another entry point through which people can access the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program privately. It provides a direct connection to the enrollment process for people who are eligible for financial assistance with their 9/11-related mental health and substance abuse treatment costs. Web site users can self-screen their eligibility for assistance and also access information about mental health and substance abuse treatment options, and links to other sites providing information and services to people affected by the attacks.

 

“This new Web site provides yet another way for people affected by 9-11 to explore mental health and substance abuse assistance conveniently, directly, and privately,” said Alan Goodman, Executive Director of the American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program.  “The Red Cross has provided assistance to more than 55,400 people affected by the attacks in 48 states and 57 countries and we know from experience that people seek assistance with mental health needs at their own pace.” 

 

“People who want to enroll in the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program can still call 1-800-LIFENET, our organization’s 24-hour information and referral service hotline,” added Giselle Stolper, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of New York City. “The Web site, www.9-11MentalHealth.org, will broaden our reach to people who prefer to go online rather than make a phone call. It’s one more way to connect to people who still seek mental health assistance in the wake of September 11.”

 

“The 9/11 tragedy affected people from around the world and the Fund has helped people in 47 states and 26 countries,” noted Carol Kellermann, CEO of The September 11th Fund.  “This new online enrollment will help people learn about the program and enroll no matter where they live in the United States or the world.”

 

The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program helps people who were directly affected by the events of September 11 and have been experiencing problems such as anxiety, depression, headaches, trouble sleeping or drug and/or alcohol abuse as a result of the attacks.

 

The Web site is in English and includes information in Spanish and Chinese. The program is accessed through the nationwide 1-800-LIFENET hotline of the Mental Health Association of New York City and now, through www.9-11MentalHealth.org as well. For more information about the program, call 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638).

 

The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program

Created and co-sponsored by The September 11th Fund and the American Red Cross and administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City, the 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program ensures that those directly affected by the attacks have access to mental health treatment regardless of their financial situation. The program provides assistance with the costs of treatment retroactively to September 11, 2001. Individuals choose a licensed provider wherever they live, for individual, couples, family or group counseling, outpatient substance abuse treatment, and inpatient treatment as well. Approximately 5,000 people have enrolled in the program over the past 12 months. The agencies expect to assist as many as 15,000 individuals access mental health and substance abuse treatment over the next three to five years.

 

People eligible for financial assistance for mental health and substance abuse treatment include family members or roommates of the deceased; people injured at an attack site; people who worked in the World Trade Center area or the Pentagon; people who worked below Canal Street and lost employment or wages; residents of Lower Manhattan (below Canal Street); rescue, recovery, and construction workers officially deployed to any of the attack sites; children who went to school near the World Trade Center and employees who worked at Ronald Reagan National Airport. In most instances, assistance is available to the affected individual and his or her immediate family members. To enroll in the program, call 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638) or visit http://www.9-11MentalHealth.org/.

 

The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program (SRP) provides a broad range of assistance and support to those most directly affected by the attacks including service coordination, access to mental health and health care, coverage of health insurance costs, direct financial assistance and group meetings offering support and  information about Red Cross and other community resources. In addition, SRP continues to assist affected downtown residents who suffered damage to or loss of their homes during the disaster. For information on services provided by SRP call (877) 746-4987 [TDD (800) 662-1220] or visit www.redcross.org/september11/help.

 

The September 11th Fund was established the day of the terrorist attacks by The New York Community Trust and United Way of New York City to meet the immediate and long-term needs of affected victims, families and communities.  The Fund works by making grants to nonprofit organizations and agencies with the expertise to meet a wide range of needs quickly.  A second fund was created September 21, 2001 from proceeds of the national telethon, America: A Tribute to Heroes.  The Fund is chaired by Franklin Thomas, and governed by a board drawn from United Way, the Trust, and the civic and business community.  Chief Executive Officer Carol Kellermann manages the Fund’s grant program, and a central staff, drawing on the resources of the founding organizations. One hundred percent of donations are used for grants; administrative costs are raised or donated separately.  Find more information at www.september11fund.org.

The Mental Health Association of New York City is a private, not-for-profit, voluntary organization concerned with all aspects of mental illness and mental health. The organization works to change attitudes about mental illnesses and heighten awareness of mental health issues through public education, to improve services for children and adults with psychiatric disabilities via advocacy and to promote mental health in the community through its direct service programs. The Mental Health Association of New York City sponsors 1-800-LIFENET, the New York area’s multicultural crisis intervention and referral hotline. The organization also operates LifeNet in Spanish (1-877-AYUDESE) and Asian languages (Asian LifeNet, 1-877-990-8585). For more information visit http://www.mhaofnyc.org/.

 

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