RESEARCH IN RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ACTS AGAINST AMERICA: ADDENDUM TO: PA-91-04, RAPID ASSESSMENT POST-IMPACT OF DISASTER (RAPID) RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM Release Date: October 9, 2001 NOTICE: NOT-MH-01-012 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (http://www.nimh.nih.gov) In order to respond appropriately and in a timely manner to the psychological distress likely to occur in the context of any disaster, it is necessary to better understand the nature of problems people experience, the types of help they seek, and the readiness of our health and human service delivery systems to provide needed care and treatment. Collecting information in the difficult days and weeks following a disaster presents special challenges, foremost among them is the need for investigators to attach the highest priority to standards of privacy, dignity, and courtesy in their interactions with participants who were affected in any way by an event under study. Only through research that is conducted in accordance with such standards will we gain information needed to enhance our capability to heal the psychological wounds that may be associated with disasters and to prevent long-term or recurring psychological distress. Any information gathering activities in this context must acknowledge and adhere to the imperatives of doing no harm, placing the care and safety of victims and survivors above all else, and coordinating with local assistance efforts. NIMH Research Priorities (Updates will be posted as needs emerge over time) The NIMH supports research on major traumatic events, such as combat and war, mass violence and shootings, terrorism, natural and technological disasters, refugee trauma, and torture, as well as exposure to other forms of violence and traumatic events across different settings. Research topics include but are not limited to: psychological, physiological, biological, and behavioral reactions to trauma, risk factors for mental health sequelae (including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and substance abuse), optimal provision of mental health services, prevention and treatment. Current research needs in relation to the attacks of September 11, 2001 include: - Epidemiological research on exposures and reactions - the mental and physical health impact on victims/survivors, families, emergency workers, and community members, - Research on the settings in which direct and indirect victims/survivors present for care, including studies of the impact of co-locating mental health services into non-traditional mental health settings (e.g., churches, community centers, work settings, health clinics, schools, etc) on access, referral, and acceptability of services, - Research on methods for assessing risk, and for triaging based on severity of risk, - Observational and descriptive studies to identify factors that promote or impede effective health provider training in screening, assessment, referral and treatment, - Research on the organization and delivery of crisis intervention care by mental health and non-mental health providers and Federal, state and local agencies, - Research on social support systems and coping mechanisms as mediators of psychological response to emergency events, - Research on intervention and treatment to reduce the risk of psychopathology symptom severity, and disability. In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NIMH RAPID applications and grants related to the tragedy will be administered with maximum flexibility. This flexibility includes a lifting of the stated dollar cap for applications. Potential applicants must contact Dr. Farris Tuma (child studies) or Dr. Regina T. Dolan-Sewell (adult studies) before submitting a RAPID application to determine whether the proposed work meets the guidelines of this program, whether requested RAPID funding is likely to be available, and whether the idea should be considered for initial submission as a fully developed application. Inquires not meeting the RAPID guidelines will be guided to other grant mechanisms and to program contacts to discuss alternatives. INQUIRIES Farris Tuma, Sc.D. Developmental Psychopathology and Prevention Research Branch Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research and AIDS National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Blvd, Room 6200, MSC 9617 Bethesda Maryland 20892 Telephone: (301) 443-5944 FAX: (301) 480-4415 E-Mail: ftuma@nih.gov Regina T. Dolan-Sewell, Ph.D. Adult Psychopathology and Prevention Research Branch Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research and AIDS National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Blvd, Room 6183, MSC 9625 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 443-3728 FAX: (301) 443-4611 E-Mail: rdolan@mail.nih.gov


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