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Resources for grief counseling and mental health services following the Sept. 11 terrorist acts in New York, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pa., are available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"The horror of these events is palpable to all of us, and they will have near-term and long-term effects," said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "While HHS is helping the directly affected areas plan for concentrated long-term mental health services, it is also important to realize that all Americans have been impacted by the pictures and the reality of this destruction, and we will all need to work through this horror. We need to talk with our children, we need to support one another, and many adults may feel overwhelmed by these events. HHS wants to share the resources to confront and live through these traumatic events."

Advice for parents and children, rescue workers, and for all others nationwide for coping with emotional stress is available on the HHS website:

TIPS FOR TALKING ABOUT DISASTERS: www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/EmergencyServices/after.htm

In addition, those needing personal guidance can call the toll-free hotline maintained by HHS� Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) for counseling and referral to local resources nationwide: 1-800-789-2647 (TDD: 301-443-9006).

In his visit to New York City Sept. 13, Secretary Thompson was told by Gov. George Pataki, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and New York health officials that long-term planning and support for mental health services would be among the highest priority long-term needs for the city. SAMHSA officials traveled to New York that day to help advise and assist the city in planning for the long-term need, with financial and technical help from HHS.

In addition, grant assistance for mental health relief was included in the first funding released by HHS Sept. 13 to address consequences of the disasters.

General advice includes:

• For children: Answer questions honestly, but without dwelling on frightening details -- but don't be afraid to admit you can't answer everything. Encourage expression of feelings and give opportunities to talk. Acknowledge your own feelings. Try to maintain normal routines, while also reducing sources of tension where possible. For younger children especially, cuddling as well as verbal support may be important. Teens especially may need to understand that hateful language and striking back can cause harm rather than help.

• For reassuring affected adults: Important to acknowledge that reactions of grief and fear are normal � fear, irritability, crying, confusion. Important to know "it's not your fault, you did the best you could." Acknowledge that things may never be the same, but they will get better. Things to AVOID saying: "It could have been worse. You can always get another [pet/car/house/etc.]. It's best if you just stay busy. You need to get on with your life. I know just how you feel."

The SAMHSA website is at www.samhsa.gov.

Also available: website of the National Institute of Mental Health at www.nimh.nih.gov

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