Chapter 8: Recommendations for the Mental Health Community

The recommendations below, which appear in the May 1998 New Directions
Report, have been reformatted for replication and distribution. 

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Crime-related psychological trauma is a major public health and mental health
problem for our Nation. Violent crime puts a large number of Americans
at risk for debilitating problems that can limit their ability to live productive,
emotionally healthy lives. Due to the sheer number of Americans suffering from
crime-related mental health problems, their treatment is one of the most
pressing issues. To find workable solutions, the following recommendations for
the Nation's mental health professionals are set forth by the field:

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1. The mental health community should develop linkages with crime victim
compensation, victim assistance programs, and criminal and juvenile justice
agencies to ensure that victims have access to adequate counseling or mental
health treatment at each stage of the justice process, from the time the crime
occurs through incarceration, pardon, parole, and appeals. Federal and State
laws should be amended to ensure that government covers mental health
counseling costs for crime victims throughout the criminal justice process and
beyond in cases of long-term psychological trauma.

2. Legislation should be enacted in every State and at the Federal level to
ensure that designated victim counseling is legally privileged.

3. Research on the mental health consequences of victimization and treatment
of crime-related psychological disorders should be expanded.

4. Initial and continuing education programs for mental health professionals
should include education on the crisis, short- and long-term trauma issues
arising from victimization and appropriate mental health treatment for crime
victims and their families, including counseling options available to them.
Training also should include information regarding the cultural diversity of
victims, stressing the importance of responding with sensitivity to ethnic and
cultural differences.

5. Interventions and counseling services should be developed for victims with
multiple mental health problems. Special attention should be given to individuals
suffering from repeat or chronic victimization and individuals with limited access
to financial, social service, and health care resources.

6. Greater emphasis should be placed on mental health treatment for child
victims and witnesses, including preventive interventions that focus on reducing
the risk of subsequent mental health problems, antisocial and violent behavior,
substance abuse, and revictimization. 

7. Insurance companies and managed health care companies should provide
coverage for targeted mental health treatment for crime victims. 
 
8. Mental health providers should recognize the healing benefits that
participation in support groups can provide for many crime victims and provide
referrals to these programs when appropriate.

9. Mental health providers should help victims of crime become involved in
community service programs when this type of work can assist in the healing
process. 

10. Mental health professionals should assist in identifying secondary victims of
crime and ensure that they receive appropriate counseling and mental health
services.

11. Mental health professionals should work with multidisciplinary teams of
other trained crisis interveners, including victim service providers, law
enforcement officers, emergency medical responders, and clergy, to respond to
violent incidents and help communities prepare crisis response protocols.

12. Reciprocal referral systems should be established among victim service
providers, crisis interveners, counselors, mental health professionals, and justice
practitioners.

13. Community mental health centers should participate in communitywide
networks of victim services and crisis response planning, protocols, and
services. 

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