The lack of adequate mental healthcare is a pattern that exists throughout the world; not even one single country meets its mental health needs. This is especially true during disasters, when there is an increased demand for mental health services and a concurrent deterioration of mental healthcare capacity. Mental healthcare is particularly important during disasters because such events can cause fear in addition to the physical injuries among affected people. Disasters also result in long lasting psychological consequences due to the disruption of social networks and loss of property.

For a mental health intervention to be effective, it is important to take into consideration the local socio-cultural setting, requirements, problems, and the perception within the community of those requirements and problems. A balance should be maintained between individual mental health services and community focused interventions. The psychological impact of large scale disasters, particularly in urban areas, affects not only the victims but the general population as well. September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were unprecedented. Thousands of people in New York watched the actual event unfold, and millions around the world watched it on televisions. This single event impacted people throughout the world.