National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C.      Vol. 33, No. 20 * October 29, 2001

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New post-terrorism mental health
bill supported by NACo

By Sally McElroy
associate legislative director

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In response to the continuing mental health “fallout” experienced by many people across the country due to the Sept. 11 attacks, the Senate is moving on a new bill to specifically address mental health care, diagnosis and treatment in the wake of a disaster.

On Oct. 16, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously approved an unnumbered draft bill that would provide grants to school systems, and to state and local entities to address mental health needs of those affected by the Sept. 11 attacks and any future disasters or act of terrorism. Specific funding levels for the grants have not been outlined in the bill.

The grant program for state and local public entities is designed to be used to locate individuals in need of mental health services as a result of the attacks, to provide treatment, including medication if necessary, and to develop programs to respond to mental health needs arising from a disaster.

Requirements outlined for grant proposals include:

• a coordinated response program among public and private providers
• a designated lead coordinator, a crisis counseling program
• a public information program, an available supply of appropriately trained mental health professionals
• provisions for special populations, and appropriate case finding, and
• management mechanisms.

School system grants would be used to develop programs that respond to the mental health needs of school children. The school system plans would have to include the following elements:

• a lead coordinator
• appropriate training for school personnel regarding how to talk to students about disasters
• partnerships with mental health professionals and service systems
• a communication program for parents
• a program to identify students in need, and
• an allowance of local private schools to participate in the program.

School systems would also be required to coordinate their response programs with existing public and private programs.

In addition, grants could be awarded to states to provide assistance to local educational agencies that would not otherwise apply. The federal government would distribute comprehensive information and education programs to assist school systems in developing appropriate materials and programs for responding to the mental health needs associated with students in disasters.

Finally, in recognizing that disasters and other traumatic events have a significant impact on mental health, the bill promotes scientific research on the mental health effects of the Sept. 11 attack.

Provisions are included to provide support for programs developed by public and nonprofit entities to focus on the behavioral and biologic aspects of psychological trauma for both children and adults and to develop evidence-based treatments for psychiatric disorders resulting from witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event.

Other provisions in the legislation focus on increased training of mental health providers and the creation of a national information clearinghouse to compile and disseminate information on mental health needs associated with a disaster.

NACo supports this legislation and joined with other interested groups in expressing support to the HELP Committee.