News coverage analyses of mental health services immediately after September 11, 2001.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined news coverage of mental health resources after the attacks of September 11, 2001, in order to inform mental health disaster planning and response.


METHODS
Keyword searches resulted in a random sample of stories reported in the United States between September 11 and 25, 2001. A total of 10,428 stories combining attack and mental health terms were gathered, and a sample of 438 articles that mentioned mental health formed the basis of this content analysis.


RESULTS
Of the 438 reports in the nationwide sample, 35 (8 percent) identified at least one risk factor for developing emotional problems after the attacks, 204 (47 percent) described at least one coping mechanism, 25 (6 percent) provided contact information for support, and 97 (22 percent) cited expert sources.


CONCLUSIONS
This exploratory study suggests a need to evaluate and improve the dissemination of mental health information to help the public cope in the aftermath of disasters.
Renzulli
Diane Rose
DR
Department of Administration, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, 260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. renzulli@phmc.org
Mebane
Felicia
F
Sieff
Elaine
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005610:Freedom; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013690:Television; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology