The Institute for Families in Society at the University of South Carolina has compiled a list of resources to help people handle with psychological effects of this tragedy and assist in the counseling of children and young people. Also included are a document and site that recommend positive responses for communities.

ADULTS
American Psychological Association   http://helping.apa.org/therapy/traumaticstress.html#children
Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering From Disasters and Other Traumatic Events

Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania
http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/disasters/fs_terrorism.html
Recommendations for mental health professionals.

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/disasters/fs_self_care_disaster.html
"What are the Traumatic Stress Effects of Terrorism?"

American Red Cross
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (MS Word document, 29K)
A model developed by the American Red Cross to debrief emergency workers and survivors following natural disasters.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
ParentCenter
http://www.parentcenter.com/general/34754.html
How to talk to your kids about Tuesday's terrorist attacks
Ages 2 to 8

American Academy of Pediatrics 
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/disastercomm.htm
Advice on how to communicate with children and adolescents during times of crisis.

National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters
What is known about the impact of violence and disasters on children and adolescents and steps to minimize long-term emotional harm.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/index.htm
Related publications are found under their Facts for Families series and include "Children and Grief," "Children and the News," and "Helping Children After A Disaster." 

Some general advice from the experts includes the following:
1. Continuously reassure your children that you will help to keep them safe.

2. Turn off the TV.  Overexposure to the media can be traumatizing.  If your older children are watching the news, be sure to watch with them.

3. Be aware that your child's age will affect his or her response.  Adolescents in particular may be hard hit by these kinds of events.  Obtaining counseling for a child or adolescent soon after a disaster may reduce long-term effects.

4. Calmly express your emotions, but remember that a composed demeanor will provide a greater sense of security for your child.

5. Give your children extra time and attention and plan to spend more time with your children in the following months.

6. Let your children ask questions, talk about what happened, and express their feelings.

7. Play with children who can't talk yet to help them work out their fears and respond to the atmosphere around them.

8. Keep regular schedules for activities such as eating, playing and going to bed to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.

9. Consider how you and your child can help.  Children are better able to regain their sense of power and security if they feel they can help in some way.

COMMUNITIES
Association for the Study and Development of Community
Communities Respond!      (MS Word document, 52K)
http://www.capablecommunity.com
Things Committees Can Do to Ease the Pain and Stop Continued Violence
A compilation of events, activities, and information to respond to violence and counter the backlash against Arabs and other Muslims.

HELPING VICTIMS
Helping.org
http://helping.org/promos/cs_wtc.adp
Relief organizations tell us that they most need cash donations to fund special resources and personnel.

United Way of New York and New York Community Trust
http://www.uwnyc.org
A fund to help the victims of the attacks and their families.