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MONTGOMERY – Department of Mental Health
& Mental Retardation Commissioner Kathy Sawyer urges all
Alabamians to seek mental and/or emotional support following
Tuesday’s tragic terrorist attacks on New York City and
Washington, D.C. "Obviously, this is one of the most
difficult times in our nation’s history," Sawyer
said. "Many citizens are feeling a mixture of fear and
apprehension, coupled with anger and resentment towards
individuals responsible for this tragic and senseless
act."
Mark Dombeck, Ph.D., founder of the
website MentalHelp.net, classifies the stages of grief and
notes that many Americans seem to be experiencing these
stages. The respective stages are denial, outrage/anger,
working through, and resolution. "Of course, the vast
majority of Americans experienced the first stage of grief
on Tuesday and Wednesday as images of destruction and loss
of life dominated the media," Sawyer said. "The
next stage, outrage/anger, is beginning to emerge."
Commissioner Sawyer urges citizens to seek
mental and/or emotional support for help in dealing with the
stages of grief. "Try and find a positive way to deal
with these emotions, perhaps by attending religious services
or talking with a mental health professional about your
feelings. The DMH/MR can provide referrals and contact
information for community mental health centers across the
state," Sawyer said.
"For those individuals who are
beginning to experience outrage and anger over these events,
it is important to channel your feelings into a positive
activity, such as donating blood or contributing to and
volunteering with disaster relief organizations in your
area," Sawyer said.
"Most importantly, please do not
direct your anger towards other individuals. I cannot
emphasize this enough. Not only is it is against the law to
harass or physically assault individuals, but this type of
activity does not foster fellowship and understanding.
Rather, it only serves to divide our citizenry and our
country during a time when unity should be a foremost
priority. These terrorist attacks were the acts of a select
few extremists and do not speak for the attitudes of an
entire culture or religion," Sawyer said.
RESOURCES
Contact your local religious leaders for
details on prayer and worship services in your area and for
information on individual counseling.
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