One alternative proposed by the report is brief cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). This treatment involves four to five therapy sessions beginning two to five weeks after the traumatic event.

Initial research has found that CBT can significantly accelerate recovery and reduce the probability of PTSD, but the treatment is expensive and few therapists are currently trained in the technique.

“An important goal is to modify CBT or develop other interventions that are briefer and less expensive,” Hyman said. “Should a situation like 9/11 repeat itself, having an effective therapy that we cannot disseminate is not useful.”

Hyman assured that while the United States is behind in preparing itself for the terrorist-related mental health problems, Harvard has implemented procedures to deal with an attack.

“Harvard has a comprehensive disaster plan which has gone through extensive scenarios,” Hyman said. “The University Health Services (UHS) are an important part of that so it would include mental health issues.”

Margaret McKenna, who is the acting director of UHS, wrote in an e-mail that she could not comment at this time on the existence of a formal mental health disaster plan, but that UHS is prepared to respond to any emergency.

“[I]n any emergency we can increase staff coverage and availability, send clinicians out on site where there is need [and] recruit additional assistance if necessary,” McKenna wrote.

Steven M. Mirin, a Harvard psychology lecturer and former director of the American Psychiatric Association, said that the Sept. 11 attacks demonstrated the need for disaster plans at colleges and universities.

“Sept. 11 woke us up not only to the political aspects of terrorism but the mental health aspects as well,” Mirin said. “I think that universities need disaster plans just the way high schools and secondary schools require them.”