NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

The Police Connection Reports that World Trade Center Movie Release a Month Prior to September 11th Might Heighten Public's Fear and Anxiety

NEW YORK, NY - July 31 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Oliver Stone is scheduled to release a new movie, "World Trade Center" on August 9 - almost five years after the September 11 attacks; in response, the non-profit organization, The Police Connection, is concerned about increased stress and unrest for first responders and the public.

"In addition to the five-year anniversary of the attacks and the current state of the Middle East," Peter Killeen, former police officer, Franciscan Friar and renowned police psychotherapist said, "the public, may once again, be brought to a heightened state of fear and anxiety." *(Photo Caption: Peter J. Killeen, Police Psychotherapist.)

Stone's movie tells the story of two Port Authority officers - the last two survivors extracted from Ground Zero - and depicts the heroic saga of their rescue.

"It may qualify as an artistic response," Killeen explained, "but the timing of events will most assuredly bring people to a place of discomfort rather than a place of closure. Elevated levels of high anxiety and depression are to be expected."

Killeen, who holds two Master Degrees: Counseling Psychology and Theology, is a nationally recognized, stress-management therapist, and a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. When September 11 happened, Killeen played an active counseling role, and worked directly with the Port Authority police force who suffered a loss of 37 officers.

"Many of these individuals will be in need of assistance for years to come," Killeen said. "And, visual and auditory stimuli act as triggers in the horrendous flashbacks associated with post-traumatic stress disorder."

Killeen explains that adults and children, alike, constantly receive negative stimuli from various sources which significantly increases levels of anxiety and depression.

The mission of The Police Connection is to provide a variety services for police officers and their families. One goal that has been established is to reunite Port Authority Police Officers with their colleagues, on an ongoing basis, for the purpose of supporting one another in relation to their common work experience during the September 11 rescue-recovery-cleanup.

Killeen's eclectic background in the fields of healthcare, theology and law enforcement makes him a much sought after talk show guest. As host and producer of "The Police Connection Radio Show" and author of the political serial thriller "The Infidel Factor", he has been interviewed on many radio and television programs, including Court TV's "Crier Today," LETN (Law Enforcement Television Network), CNBC-TV, WOR Radio 710AM and NPR.

"People lived through the horrors of that day and subsequent days and will continue to carry those traumatic memories during their lifetime," Killeen explained. "It is my desire to help them alleviate some stress and achieve improved mental health."

Killeen currently serves as a consultant with police unions and federal agencies as a stress specialist.

For more information, visit: www.thepoliceconnection.org.

The Police Connection is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity.

Copyright © 2006 Send2Press® Newswire