The Evolution of the Project: Helping the Mothers, Infants and Young Children of September 11, 2001

Abstract

This article describes the evolution of the Project for Mothers, Infants, and Young Children of September 11, 2001. When a group of pregnant women lost their husbands on 9/11, we knew that traditional approaches would not be sufficient to help them cope with this unthinkable disaster. The unique circumstances of being pregnant and widowed, and having to experience not only the birth of a baby but also pressures from in-laws, government agencies, and stresses of a national disaster that served as a constant reminder, all contributed to the difficulty in launching this project. Begun as an intervention to help with mourning, bonding, developing a community of support, and trying to minimize the transmission of the trauma, our work evolved into a long-term primary prevention project. Eventually a range of services was offered to the mothers and their children, including groups for mothers and babies, videotaped play sessions and video feedback consultations with a team of therapists. These services altered as the needs of families changed over time. The Project created a net of safety to attend to the needs of the therapist team as well.