font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>FDNY
Counseling Services Unit Has Grown Since 9/11font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>Director
Malachy Corrigan says that they are seeing four times the number of clients
they used to see.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>Firehouse.com News mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>Posted:mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>FDNY personnel and their families
have people they can turn to, to share their feelings as they cope with not
only with everyday trials and tribulations but the anguish of the terrorists’
attack on Sept. 11.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>The 28 professional counselors and
40 peers don’t just wait in one of six locations for firefighters and EMS
personnel to walk in. They’re out in the stations, homes or wherever they need
to be.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>Since Sept. 11, the staffing of the
FDNY Counseling Services Unit has increased in an effort to keep up with the
number of people who need mental health services, explained Malachy P.
Corrigan, director.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>”We have four times the number
of clients we used to see 10 years ago,” he said, adding that the issues
run the gambit from anxiety to substance abuse.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>Corrigan said personnel have
struggled to maintain their everyday lives including marriages and working.
Some have turned to drugs and alcohol. Some have committed suicide.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>In addition to tending to the mental
health of active personnel, their immediate family and retired FDNY crews also
are included.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>Corrigan said it’s important to
involve the family so they understand what’s going on, and how they can help.
Support is essential for success.mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>For the rest of the story go tomso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>http://www.firehouse.com/news/top-headlines/425716
