On May 30, VOICES was honored to witness the dedication and opening of the 9/11 Memorial Glade. The Glade honors all 9/11 responders, survivors, and community members who are sick or have died from exposure to toxins in the aftermath of 9/11. The Glade also recognizes the courage, selflessness and perseverance of the men and women of the rescue and recovery effort. “Like the heroes we lost on 9/11, their selfless acts provided light that helped guide us through our darkest hours and they allowed our city to rise again,” said former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
June is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and VOICES continues to make efforts to promote this important cause. About half of those who responded to, survived, or lost loved ones on 9/11 have PTSD. Because it is classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD is entirely treatable. It is often early detection and increased awareness about the disorder that can help those suffering seek successful treatment as soon as possible. PTSD is often misunderstood by those with no firsthand experience, and here at VOICES we encourage an open dialogue.
In their fight for justice, family members of 9/11 victims are fighting to have the FBI release the names of those who supported the 9/11 hijackers from inside the U.S. At a hearing in New York City on May 13, families demanded the Department of Justice reveal redacted names from FBI transcripts that could show how high-ranking Saudi officials were involved in the attacks. Over 100 family members were in attendance at the hearing.
During the month of May we are promoting Mental Health Awareness, a cause that is near and dear to our hearts. VOICES has always been a staunch proponent of promoting resiliency through education and connecting individuals with resources that promote mental health wellness. Building awareness and destigmatizing treatment for mental health conditions is the first step. You may not be aware that one in five Americans are affected by a mental health condition in a given year, and mental health issues are prevalent among those impacted by traumatic events.
On March 28 and 29, VOICES hosted "Preparing for After: Planning for Effective Response Following Acts of Mass Violence" at Grace Farms, in New Canaan, CT. The trainings provided an overview of VOICES preparedness trainings that document best practices for community stakeholders in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from acts of mass violence.