The longitudinal study by Stein et al. (2004) provides important data about the evolution of distress symptoms, behavioral responses, and the use of counseling and information to cope with the uncertainties and fear evoked throughout the United States by the devastating terrorist events of September 11, 2001 (9/11). This commentary aims to encourage psychiatrists and other mental/behavioral health experts to take innovative roles in community-based emergency preparedness and response to terrorist events and public health disasters. Key study findings will be highlighted and enriched to stimulate creativity in the application of mental/behavioral health expertise to homeland security. Persistently distressed participants in the Stein, et al. (2004) study reported that worries and concerns had affected their daily activities. Participants noted that work or school performance was disrupted, even those who did not report substantial distress symptoms (Table 4). Prolonged or ill-timed disruptions can adversely impact economic viability and perceived quality-of-life (e.g., vulnerable period of child development; bad critical business decision). In the current study, distressed persons also reported holding back terror-related thoughts/feelings from family/friends (i.e., a loss of perceived social support), despite seeking out social and religious support. In a review of social reactions to natural and technological disasters, Kaniasty and Norris (2004) illustrate that collective behavior (i.e., community reaction) is significantly influenced by the equity of distribution of social support resources, and by the degree of social support that is both mobilized and sustained throughout the response and recovery phases. They recommend that systems of psychiatric and medical care be integrated before a disaster/terrorism strikes, and that “tangible [e.g., essential shelter, food, money], informational, and emotional forms of social support” be provided to those affected to “hasten recovery.” Mental/behavioral health expertise could be applied to design and promote such Psychiatry 67(2) Summer 2004 118