Community Support Phone Line Established to Help Residents Cope With Recent Tragedies
News Release: September 14, 2001
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, in cooperation with area United Way member agencies, has established a community support phone line to help local residents cope with stress caused by the tragedies of September 11. The number is (610) 332-1589.
Qualified mental health professionals will be available by phone Saturday, September 15 from 9 a.m. to noon and again from noon to 8 p.m. weekdays for the next several weeks.
Agencies providing their services include KidsPeace, Catholic Social Agency, Family and Counseling Services of the Lehigh Valley, and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Additional agencies that would like to offer their assistance should call the Red Cross.
In addition, in-person appointments can be made with mental health counselors by calling the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400.
"These are difficult times for all Americans. Many have undergone horrific experiences and many more are trying to deal with the searing emotional trauma of losing loved ones, witnessing devastating damage to national landmarks, as well as cope with threats to their personal sense of safety," said Cordelia Miller, director of Emergency Services at the Lehigh Valley Chapter. "Those of us who watch television news reports from a safe distance to the events in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania are also traumatized by these unimaginable acts of terrorism and violence."
When parents, guardians and other adults are shaken, so too are children. The Red Cross recognizes that families and children will need assistance in dealing with their emotional reactions, added Miller.
The Red Cross also has printed materials regarding coping with the emotional and physical reactions to disaster available free of charge. Materials may be picked up at the Red Cross office, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem and are available online at www.redcrosslv.org.
The Lehigh Valley Chapter Red Cross serves more than 620,000 residents in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 15,500 Lehigh Valley residents.
For more information about the Lehigh Valley Chapter Red Cross, visit www.redcrosslv.org.
