Resources for unMASKing HOPE Documentary

Becky Lazinger, Jack Delaney, Ken Fairben, and John Delaney are all survivors of 9/11 who share their story through the UnMASKing HOPE film. It is important to recognize the physical and mental health effects that 9/11 survivors live with today. Recent analysis of WTC Health Program enrolled 9/11 survivors found that:

• The average number of WTC certified conditions per enrolled survivor is 2.7
• 23.1% of 9/11 survivors experienced posttraumatic stress disorder and 11.9% experienced depression

Sandra Lee is an Iraq Veteran who suffers from PTSD, and a MST survivor who share her story in unMASKing HOPE.

Veterans are at an increased risk for PTSD. A 2014 study found that 87% of veterans were exposed to at least one potentially traumatizing event. The VA reports that 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) have PTSD in a given year.

Military Sexual Trauma (MST), including any sexual harassment or sexual assault that occurs while someone is in the military, is another cause of PTSD. The VA reports that, among veterans using the VA, 23% of women reported sexual assault when in the military and 55% of women and 38% of men have experienced sexual harassment when in the military.

Lyman Montgomery Ph.D., and Sandra Lee are survivors of sexual abuse who share their story of healing in unMASKing HOPE.

Sexual violence affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, and ages across every community. Greater than 1 in 3 women and atleast 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 38 men have experienced completed or attempted rape.

Lyman is a survivor of child sexual abuse. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse in childhood. Experiencing sexual abuse in childhood can affect a person over a lifetime and can result in both short and long-term physical and mental health consequences.

Sandra is a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The VA reports that, among veterans using the VA, 23% of women reported sexual assault when in the military.

Molly Maurer and Heidi Bender are both mass shooting survivors who share their stories in unMASKing HOPE.

In the immediate aftermath of a mass shooting event, most survivors will experience a reaction, which will range across physical, behavioral, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual domains. Common reactions include “physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, gastrointestinal upset, appetite changes, chest pain, rapid heart rate, or high blood pressure; cognitive changes and dysfunction; and increases in emotions such as fear or anxiety, anger or rage, and sadness.”

According to the National Center for PTSD, of people who have witnessed a mass shooting, an estimated 28 percent develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and about a third develop acute stress disorder.

Mass shooting survivors may also experience depression, anxiety, and substance misuse.