September 11, 2001, was a watershed moment for America and the world. Numerous terrorism attacks happened before September 11th. However, several things made the 9/11 attacks different. They differed in magnitude from previous attacks due to the large number of deaths and injuries. They differed because the terrorists maximized live media coverage so the death and destruction would be witnessed by as many people as possible. Planes crashing into the World Trade Center twin towers, buildings in flames and crashing to the ground, and people jumping to their deaths were witnessed live by millions. The disturbing images created by the death and destruction there, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania that day were seared into the memory of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Few would deny that our nation and the world are quite different now than they were before 9/11.
Terrorists often seek more than just death and destruction. They also want to send a message, create widespread fear, and provoke an overresponse. These terrorists sent America a message that we were not safe, and the threat of future attacks was a real possibility. They hoped we would overrespond by sacrificing our freedom in search of increased safety. However, I believe that the primary focus of this 25th anniversary of 09/11 must be to remember those who were lost and injured, their family members, the first responders who demonstrated great courage trying to save lives, and those who helped victims and survivors in the aftermath of this tragedy.
My colleagues and I at the National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center (NCVRTC) collaborated with Dr. Sandro Galea and colleagues at the New York Academy of Sciences to conduct several large, multi-year studies of adults in NYC and surrounding areas after the terrorist attacks. There were several key findings. First, we found higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, tobacco use, and alcohol use among NYC-area adults than among adults elsewhere in the U.S. Second, many people with PTSD or depression recovered within the first six months, but a substantial group did not and continued to have PTSD and related behavioral health problems several years after the attack. We suspect that many survivors still have many of these problems 25 years later. Third, PTSD and related behavioral health problems were not limited to the thousands who were physically injured, the family members of those who were killed, the brave first responders and others who worked at the site during response and recovery efforts, or those who witnessed the attacks. Although these individuals were most likely to have problems, ripple effects of the attacks extended to the entire community. This research also confirmed that victims/survivors of terrorism have unmet behavioral/mental health needs that last for years after the terrorist attack.
I was not surprised that many 9/11 victims, survivors, and their families took charge and moved forward with purpose in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. An amazing thing about human beings is that we have the capacity to find meaning in unfathomable tragedy by trying to make the world a better place for others. Despite their personal suffering and devastating loss, these survivors exemplified what the crime victim services field calls being “survivor-driven” and “victim-focused.”
Their landmark accomplishments include the creation of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States; securing long-term health care and compensation for first responders, survivors, and local residents through the Congressional passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act; and the creation of the Voices Center for Resilience to address long-term behavioral/mental health needs of survivors. I am particularly grateful to Mary Fetchet, the co-founder of Voices Center for Resilience, whose son Brad was killed at the World Trade Center. She has provided the NCVRTC with ongoing guidance, and her survivor-centered focus helps us strengthen our services for victims of mass violence and terrorism.
Nobel laureate William Faukner once said: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Neither is September 11th, 2001. The survivors can never forget what happened that day. Nor should we. As we solemnly commemorate this 25th observance, we are grateful for 25 years of “lessons learned” from survivors, first responders, and others who selflessly shared their experiences. This information helped us learn and improve our preparation, response, and recovery efforts related to acts of terrorism and mass violence. We honor their memory, sacrifices, and accomplishments by putting what has been learned to good use by helping other mass violence survivors. We show the victims and survivors of 9/11 our respect by remembering the past and striving to ensure a future in which all survivors of terrorist and mass violence get what they need and deserve.
