By Howard Goldstein
For those who witnessed the attacks and/or lost loved ones, the commemoration of the first year may be a difficult time.
The Long Island Crisis Center in Bellmore, a counseling organization that is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is anticipating a higher volume of calls in the days leading up to Sept.11.
"The anniversary of any loss brings up unresolved feelings," said the center's Assistant Director Paula Grenot. "And this anniversary is embedded in the cultural consciousness of the entire world. It is now part of the human race's collective memory."
People who need support, any time day or night, can call the center's hotline at (516) 679-1111. "We are here," said Grenot. "Anyone, any time of day, in any circumstance, is only a phone call away from help."
Usually, there is a minimum of two counselors staffing the center at all times. During September, Grenot hopes to have a minimum of four counselors.
The crisis center received more than 500 calls directly related to the Sept. 11 in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. A flux of calls is expected for this year as well, though not as many as after the initial wave.
But Grenot thinks that the length and intensity of the relived feelings of loss and terror will depend on the media.
"I hope the media does not play the tapes of the towers falling again and again, as they did after the event. I am very worried that the media probably will do so, forcing millions to relive the terror. People who are in the process of recovering do not need to see that again, particularly on the date.
"Children in particular don't need to see that again. Kids heal faster than adults, it's a fact. And children who have pulled their lives back to normalcy after 9/11 do not need to see the footage of the flaming towers again and again in perpetuity.
"Everybody in the world knows what happened on 9/11. This is not sticking our heads in the sand. On the contrary, we mean to deal with this reality in a way that helps people get on with their lives, reconcile their feelings and have hope. It is not about forgetting. No one will ever forget. No one will ever 'get over' it."
Issues most likely to come up on the hotline are personal loss, the shattering of the illusion of security and survivor guilt.
Grenot also hopes there will not be a resurgence of militarism as a result of the 9/11 anniversary. Some callers after 9/11 were people of Middle Eastern descent who were targets of harassment.
The crisis center uses a strength-based model to help those reliving the past.
"We remind people that they have had the strength to pull this far, a full year after. We help them utilize their own inner strength and coping ability. The World Trade Center attack will never be forgotten, but the day itself, the 11th of the month of September is just another day. People who have carried on this far should not fall apart on this calendar day.
"People need to know they are not alone. Every tragic loss is unique, but the feelings of despair, loss, and fear are widespread. We universalize these feelings. And we want them to talk about it."
The crisis center operates on a shoe-string budget. According to Grenot, the center is not getting a dime from 9/11 funds.
"Some of these agencies now have more money than they know what to do with," she said. "Many of the funded organizations refer people to us. They get the money, we have to deal with the problem."
The center is located at 2740 Martin Ave., Bellmore.
The hotline is (516) 679-1111. Trained counselors are also available online, in real time, at HYPERLINK "http://www.licconline.org" www.licconline.org .
For information on community education programs or to volunteer for the Long Island Crisis Center, call (516) 826-0244.
