title: Pentagon Family Assistance Center inter-agency mental health collaboration and response.
abstract: After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, the Department of Defense established a Family Assistance Center to provide a single source of information and services for the families of those missing and deceased. Twice daily briefings were conducted for families by top Department of Defense leadership so that information provided was timely, accurate, and authoritative. Within the Pentagon Family Assistance Center, families were able to receive mental health, spiritual, financial, legal, and benefits support/counseling from a wide range of helping agencies and organizations. Family members were also provided meals, lodging assistance, and assistance with travel arrangements. This centralization of services along with a clear and coherent command structure may provide a model to be emulated in future community disasters.
mesh_terms: D000401:Aircraft; D003142:Communication; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D007253:Information Centers; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D037041:United States Government Agencies; D014768:Virginia