Social Workers Help Nation Heal from Terrorist Attacks

"We know that the wounds—both physical and emotional—created by this unspeakable act of violence need time to heal," says Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers. "Social workers are already part of numerous professional teams dealing with the after effects of this tragedy. Our members are committed to helping citizens in schools, hospitals, community mental health centers, emergency resource centers and homeless shelters nationwide."

One such example is Mila Ruiz Tecala, ACSW, DCSW, an expert in the field of grief and bereavement and head of the Center for Loss and Grief in Washington. Ms. Tecala served as a consultant to the Phillipine government following the 1990 earthquake, and is currently counseling American Airlines employees in response to the recent terrorist attacks. Throughout her career, Ms. Tecala has studied the grieving process that results from both individual and catastrophic events. She was named "Social Worker of the Year" by the Washington DC NASW Chapter in 2000.

According to SAMHSA, social workers are the largest providers of mental health and therapy services in the United States. To find a clinical social worker in your community, go to http://www.socialworkers.org/register.

Media should contact NASW Public Affairs at (202-336-8228) for comments from social work experts in grief and bereavement; employee assistance programs; crisis intervention; and religious and racial discrimination.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 153,000 members. It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its work and through its advocacy.