Social Work Blog Social work updates from NASW
New York (CNN.com) – Linda Garcia-Rose, a social worker who counsels post-traumatic stress disorder patients in an office three blocks from where the World Trade Center stood, called the flight an “absolute travesty.” Watch the White House respond to questions about the scare »
“There was no warning. It looked like the plane was about to come into us,” she said. “I’m a therapist, and I actually had a panic attack.”
Garcia-Rose, who works with nearly two dozen patients ages 15 to 47, said she was inundated with phone calls from patients.
“They’re traumatized. They’re asking ‘How could this happen?’ They’re nervous. Their anxiety levels are high,” she said.
Garcia-Rose said she is considering filing a class-action suit against the government for sanctioning the plane’s unannounced flight.
“I believe the government has done something really wrong,” she said. – Quote from Official who OK’d N.Y. flyby accused of ‘felony stupidity‘
One comment
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
My ideas for action have crystallized on advocating for the mental health rights of 9-11 Survivors adversely effected by the Government Jet Flyover in lower Manhattan on April 27th.
The Government is responsible for causing Negligent Emotional Distress by retriggering the symptoms for 9-11 PTSD survivors. The emotional impact is immeasurable. It is simply like tearing off a scar which has begun to heal and re-opening a major wound. People are actually psychologically bleeding and we need to take action in order to help them.
Currently the The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is offering an insurance-like benefit to help cover mental health and substance use treatment for NYC residents affected by 9/11. This expires in January 7, 2011. I am advocating to have this extended based upon the tearing open of these psychological wounds, which I have seen in myself and in most of my patients.
I am organizing town hall meetings in order to begin the process of helping these survivors. As discussed, I would like to involve all effected boroughs of Manhattan and New Jersey as appropriate. In addition, I am: in contact with both the Mayor’s office and other politicians, have had live interviews with CNN and NBC and am investigating a possible class action suit based upon the Tort Act.
I would appreciate your support.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kindest Regards,
Linda Garcia-Rose, LMSW, Therapist and Advocate for 9-11 Trauma Survivors