Specialized Training To Respond to the Mental Health Needs of Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence

Federal law enforcement and community service providers face significant challenges in responding to the mental health needs of victims of terrorism and mass violence. These criminal acts and the Federal Government's response have demonstrated a clear need for planning, training, and coordination. The state and local response, as well as the assistance of community service providers, must be considered. Currently, there is a lack of training for professionals and victim service providers about how to respond to the mental health needs of victims of terrorism and mass violence.

To close this gap, OVC and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services collaborated in Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 to provide mental health training, technical assistance, and consultation services for professionals who assist victims. As part of the formal agreement between the two agencies, a training manual was developed in FYs 2002 and 2003 to help mental health providers better serve victims. CMHS and OVC have published the training manual and curriculum and plan to deliver the specialized training to mental health professionals and victim service providers.

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