National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Health
and Mass Violence: Evidence-based Early
Psychological Intervention for Victims/Survivors of Mass Violence
Posted September, 2002
Early psychological intervention guided by qualified mental health caregivers
can reduce the harmful psychological and emotional effects of exposure to mass
violence in survivors, according to a national conference report entitled “Mental Health and
Mass Violence: Evidence-Based Early Psychological Intervention for
Victims/Survivors of Mass Violence. A Workshop to Reach Consensus on Best
Practices" (*PDF format,
123 pages, 1700 KBs). The report emphasizes that although more research is
needed, existing data, including studies of other kinds of traumatic events, as
well as clinical experience, provide useful guidance to the mental health
community in responding to mass violence.
The report is targeted to those who deliver psychological interventions to emotionally distressed persons following mass violence, to those who research these issues, and to employers who want to help workers who have experienced this type of emotional trauma. It is also intended to aid officials who must decide what mental health help to include in the local, state, and national responses to survivors of mass violence and terrorism. Prepared by 58 mental health researchers and clinicians from the U.S. and five other countries, the report details what is effective, what is not, and what questions require further research.
The report was developed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Departments of Defense, Justice, and Veterans Affairs, and the American Red Cross.
Printed copies are available upon request by calling 301-443-4513 or by email at nimhinfo@nih.gov