Mental Health Notes - News, Education and Advocacy

Update: Project Helping Hands Also Offers Assistance To Ike Victims

by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes on September 13th, 2008

Earlier this week I told you about how Project Helping Hands is providing mental health resources to Gustav victims.

Yesterday I received an email and press release from The National Council letting me know that Project Helping Hands is now also extending their help to Hurricane Ike victims.

The press release:

‘Helping Hands’ For Hurricane Ike Victims

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2008—As Hurricane Ike bears down on the Texas coast, help is available for emergency mental health and addictions needs in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Project Helping Hands, established by National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, will help behavioral healthcare organizations respond to people’s emergency needs in communities affected by the storm.

It is estimated that up to 25 to 30 percent of people in the most vulnerable communities experience new mental health and addictions problems in the wake of disasters.

“The stress and emotional impact of yet another major disaster along the Gulf Coast can cause severe worry and anxiety,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council. “Project Helping Hands can be an immediate resource for residents who may be psychiatrically
vulnerable and traumatized by the storm.”

Rosenberg said that people who have to leave their homes-seen as places of safety and comfort—can make the mental health challenges even more pronounced.

“The fear of losing your home, personal possessions, and even loved ones helps to compound the anxiety that people feel,” said Rosenberg.

Begun in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Project Helping Hands provided modest grants to treatment organizations in several Gulf Coast states. The grants were used to help with emergency needs like hiring treatment staff, setting up emergency outreach offices, and
purchasing medications and emergency equipment.

“In the wake of disaster, community behavioral health providers must address the critical needs of two groups — those who experience the onset of trauma and mental disorders as a result of the disaster and those with pre- existing serious mental illnesses and addictions who
need continued care and treatment,” said Rosenberg. “Our pockets are not deep but we are standing by to help in any way we can.”

More information about Project Helping Hands may be found at
www.TheNationalCouncil.org/HelpingHands.

Please feel free to forward this information to any Ike victim you know!

Image: SXC

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