Press Releases:
Sep. 7, 2006
May 8, 2006
Press Coverage:
Sep. 10, 2006
Patrick J. Kennedy, (D-RI) co-chairman of the bipartisan Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus, spoke before the screening of the movie "Beyond Fear", a documentary that underscores the need for governments around the world to act now to minimize the crippling psychological effects of terrorism acts, natural disasters and war, Thursday, September 7, 2006. Kennedy said, "The effectiveness of terrorism is limited by our reactions to it, as well as the measure of solidarity within society. To fight terrorism here at home most effectively we must maximize our resilience, and, at a minimum, address the social maladies that currently instill any sense of social isolation within the citizenry." (click photo to download high quality image)
Click image below to download poster in PDF format.  |
DAYS BEFORE 9/11 ANNIVERSARY,
CONGRESSMEN SCREENED DOCUMENTARY ON WHAT CAN
AND SHOULD BE DONE TO MANAGE FEAR AND TERROR
A Group of World Experts on Managing Fear and Terror Urge
‘Battle of Emotions’ be Added to National Strategy for Combating Terror
“National Strategy for Combating Terrorism is a new balance between the military preparedness and the battle for ideas. The balance also needs to address the battle for emotions. Terrorism by nature is targeting emotions of fear and anxiety.”
Dr. Pamela Ryan, founder of Psychology Without Borders
and managing director of Issues Deliberation Australia/America
Washington, D.C. — Sept. 7, 2006 — On the eve of the fifth anniversary of September 11, a documentary that underscores the need for governments around the world to act now to minimize the crippling psychological effects of terrorism acts, natural disasters and war was screened at the U.S. Capitol Complex in Washington, D.C.
U. S. Rep Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I., co-chairman of the bipartisan Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus, said at the screening, “The effectiveness of terrorism is limited by our reactions to it, as well as the measure of solidarity within society. To fight terrorism here at home most effectively we must maximize our resilience and, at a minimum, address the social maladies that currently instill any sense of social isolation within the citizenry.”
The Texas-based political psychology and public policy think tank called Issues Deliberation Australia/America and the non-profit organization Psychology Without Borders hosted the screening in cooperation with two Congressional caucuses — one on mental health and one on addiction, treatment and recovery.
Joining Kennedy in support of the BEYOND FEAR screening were U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas; Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., and Tim Murphy, R-Penn., co-chairmen of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus; and Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., co-chairman of the bipartisan Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus.
World experts on managing the psychology of fear and terror who also attended the screening included April Naturale, former director of Project Liberty-the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program launched by the New York State Office of Mental Health after the World Trade Center attacks; Dr. Rony Berger of NATAL (Israel Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War); Dr. Patrick Boyer, Q.C., political science professor, University of Guelph, and former member of the Canadian Parliament; and Dr. Roxane Cohen Silver, psychology professor, University of California Irvine, and one of the leading researchers of the long-term physical and psychological impacts of fear and terror.
BEYOND FEAR features survivors of terrorist acts in New York City, Washington, D.C., Bali, Israel and Palestine. The film explores the psychological impact of fear and terror through the eyes of these survivors and international trauma experts whose job it is to help them manage their everyday fear and terror.
Ryan says that after Sept. 11, 2001, “we learned that experiencing terror is a paradox. People are resilient and adaptable in many ways; however, pervasive and sustained fear and terror is detrimental to the health (both mental and physical) of most people.
“Actions can be taken at the local, state, national and global levels to minimize the psychological impacts of terror, and hence, help thwart terrorists’ goals,” she continues. “If we do not counter the psychological impacts of terror in a systemic comprehensive approach, we risk contributing to terrorists’ goals.”
Ryan believes it is time for the U.S. government to do more to reduce the psychological impacts of the fear generated not only by terrorism but also by natural disasters such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Interview times are available as well as press kits and documentary screeners.
Dr. Pamela Ryan is available for interview as a source for how to minimize the crippling psychological effects of terrorism acts, natural disasters and war.
For more information, please call Jill McGuckin, 512.217.9404.
To download hi-res images and more, go to:
http://www.mcguckinpr.com/mcguckin/beyondfear/beyondfear.htm
Also see www.ida.org.au or www.pwob.org
CONTACTS:
Jill McGuckin, McGuckin PR, 512.217.9404 c; jill@mcguckinpr.com
Dr. Pamela Ryan, founder of Psychology Without Borders, and managing director of Issues Deliberation Australia/America (IDA), 512.472.1012; pamryan@aol.com
# # # |
