Emotional Healing from Disaster in the Workplace: Experiences of Those Affected by the September 11 Attacks

Scientific research has provided little systematic information to guide efforts to facilitate emotional recovery in workplaces affected by disasters (North, et al., 2010). But without this knowledge, organizational mental health responses to disasters may overlook potentially helpful interventions and respond inadequately to the emotional needs of employees. Workplaces affected by the 9/11 attacks were largely unprepared to manage the emotional aftermath of such a massive trauma. Most of the published research on workplace disaster mental health interventions to date has focused on providing mental health services such as crisis counseling, support groups, and stress debriefing.