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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