[StBernard] FEMA's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs: CRISIS COUNSELING IS STILL AVAILABLE TO HURRICANE VICTIMS

[Westley Annis]

CRISIS COUNSELING IS STILL AVAILABLE TO HURRICANE VICTIMS

 

NEW ORLEANS - Many Louisiana residents continue to cope with the
psychological aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Free crisis
counseling is available through Louisiana Spirit and a partnership between
the state of Louisiana and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

"The concerns being raised by hurricane survivors now, two years after the
disasters are especially hard to deal with.  Many express feeling depressed,
anxious, irritable, angry and frustrated, making work and family life more
difficult," said Louisiana Spirit Executive Director Charles G. Cook, LSW.
"Louisiana Spirit counselors help by talking through these normal emotions,
so that important decisions can be made with a clear head, and family and
friends can enjoy each other's company." 

 

Anxiety, despair and depression are common emotions experienced by both
children and adults following Katrina and the devastating floods.  These
feelings are compounded by the stress of living in a new environment,
starting a new job or school and the struggle to rebuild.  LA Spirit can
help you and your family cope.

 

One call to the Louisiana Spirit 24 Hour Helpline (1-800-273-TALK) will put
you in contact with professionally trained counselors who are available to
provide emotional support, counseling, information and referrals by phone or
face to face. Crisis counseling is free, confidential and available to those
who lived in the area affected by hurricanes Katrina or Rita.

 

LA Spirit has 680 staff members working across the state.  Their mission is
to "offer crisis counseling that empowers Louisiana hurricane survivors to
build resilience, recover and move towards self sufficiency." To date, they
have served nearly 1.1 million victims of Katrina and Rita and handed out
over 7 million resources.

 

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing,
mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic
disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

 

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Editors: For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit
www.fema.gov/gulfcoastrecovery.