Experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Available to Discuss Traumatic Impact of Minneapolis Bridge Collapse.

MINNEAPOLIS -- National Child Traumatic Stress Network:

ATTENTION EDITORS AND REPORTERS:

The following disaster response experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a federally-funded initiative, are available to discuss the traumatic impact of the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis. These experts can discuss the need for immediate and sustained mental health intervention strategies for traumatized individuals and families throughout the Minneapolis area.

Researchers and clinicians from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network can share their expertise in treating traumatic stress and grief reactions in children, adolescents and adults.

Abigail Gewirtz, Ph.D.
Director, Minnesota Child Response Center
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
651-283-8433 (cell)

Dr. Gewirtz is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and a licensed clinical psychologist. She directs the Minnesota Child Response Center, a community-university collaboration to improve access to quality care for traumatized children and families. Dr. Gewirtz has consulted to communities across the United States in developing crisis response and treatment interventions for children exposed to violence. She will be able to discuss the impact of trauma on children and families, how to talk with children about this event, and on best practices for intervening with children and families impacted by the bridge collapse.

Melissa J. Brymer, Psy.D., Ph.D.
Director of Terrorism and Disaster Programs
National Center for Child Traumatic Stress
Los Angeles, CA
310-562-0442 (cell)

Dr. Brymer is a licensed clinical psychologist who is an expert in the development of acute interventions, assessments and educational materials in the areas of terrorism, disasters and school crises. She is co-author of Psychological First Aid, an evidence-informed approach for assisting children, adolescents, adults and families in the aftermath of disaster and terrorism. This approach is designed to reduce initial distress caused by traumatic events and foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning and coping strategies.

Robin H. Gurwitch, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OK
405-659-9513 (cell)

Dr. Gurwitch is a licensed clinical psychologist and a marriage and family therapist. Since the bombing in Oklahoma City in 1995, she has devoted much time to understanding the impact of trauma and disaster on children. Dr. Gurwitch has co-authored a treatment manual for use with young children after a trauma, as well as many scientific articles and chapters related to terrorism and disaster. She is involved in training, consultation, research and service is this area. Dr. Gurwitch helped the American Red Cross develop materials related to terrorism for use in schools. She currently serves on the American Psychological Association's task force on resiliency and is a member of the Disaster Response Network.

Media contact

To interview any experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, please contact them directly or contact Philip Little, director of communications, at 919-812-9598 (cell) or [e-mail].

Background

Established by Congress in 2000, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is a unique collaboration of academic and community-based service centers whose mission is to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for traumatized children and their families across the United States. Combining knowledge of child development, expertise in the full range of child traumatic experiences, and attention to cultural perspectives, the NCTSN serves as a national resource for developing and disseminating evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed services, and public and professional education. The NCTSN is funded through the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).