Currently, tens of thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors are in need of acute mental health care. Over time, hundreds of thousands of survivors will need help coping with the long-term effects of the trauma, including PTSD, depression, drug abuse, and ongoing anxiety.
This is happening at a time when the nation's mental health system is already overburdened and under-funded, and further cuts to the nation's mental health budget are looming.
In response to the disaster, The Infinite Mind, public radio's most honored and listened to health and science program, is devoting its ongoing coverage of the mind and mental health to a series of special reports on the disaster, its aftermath, and its impact on the nation's mental health system. These programs, reaching over 1,000,000 listeners weekly, are the first to focus in-depth on the acute mental health problems facing those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and will continue on with in-depth examinations of the process of recovery.
As part of our innovative community outreach campaign, The Infinite Mind has helped create grassroots partnerships between 1,500 local mental health advocacy groups and more than 750 public radio stations around the country to facilitate local coverage and discussion of the issues highlighted in our national broadcasts. This critical effort will help insure that mental health is part of the nation's recovery from this unprecedented disaster.
In addition, we are seeking to donate free copies of these programs on CD with educational outreach materials for mental health professionals, first responders, press, and members of the public. Our website is receiving thousands of visits and has become a leading source of mental health recovery information. And our upcoming annual State of Mind live broadcast event will address the mental health impact of Hurricane Katrina on those affected and the nation.
There is so much to be done, and we ask you to join us in continuing this important work.
Hurricane Katrina could cripple the nation's community mental health care system. Or, it could serve as a catalyst to increase awareness and public support for funding, community services and care for all Americans.
Please join this critical effort with your tax deductible, non-profit donation on our secure web site, and help us get the word out that mental health care is critical for the disaster survivors and for all Americans.
Thank you.
Bill Lichtenstein
President, LCM
June Peoples,
Executive Producer, The Infinite Mind
The Infinite Mind responds in times of crisis:
"In the days immediately following September 11, as people were still scrambling from the horror, the staff of The Infinite Mind took it upon themselves to broadcast across the country critical information about trauma and healing. They gathered together the top experts in the field, and were the first to offer an in-depth hour of coverage devoted specifically to the mental health fall-out of the attacks. In each show, they took a step back from the headlines to offer insightful, thoughtful, practical insights that people around the country would find helpful." - Harvard University Provost Steven E. Hyman, M.D., former director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
"As Americans tuned into public radio as a national lifeline follow the September 11th attacks, The Infinite Mind provided a great service in educating the general public about the mental health impact of this traumatic event.” - National Mental Health Association.
All donations to The Fund for Independent Media, Inc. are tax deductiible under the fund's 501(c)(3) non profit status. The Fund for Independent Media is a non-profit Massachusetts corporation established to support the creation of media related to mental health and social issues including programs airing on The Infinite Mind. For additional information about non-profit contributions to The Fund for Independent Media, Inc. please contact us at 617-682-3700. |
