Crisis Counseling Assistance Tops $6.1 Million in Louisiana
Release Date: December 12, 2005
Release Number: 1603-218
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Louisiana will continue to offer free crisis counseling services for Louisiana hurricane victims during the holiday season.
Referral services and short-term counseling are available for mental health problems brought on by the disaster. Help is available by calling one of the following numbers:
Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255
United Healthcare Hurricane Hotline, 1-866-615-8700
Baton Rouge Area Crisis Line, 225-924-3900
"FEMA understands that victims experience many anxieties and emotions after disasters, and these feelings can be magnified during the holidays," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells. "We encourage anyone who needs help to take advantage of this service."
FEMA funds crisis counseling services through grants to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. DHH uses its network of mental health care providers to make the appropriate referrals. To date, more than $6.1 million has been provided for disaster crisis counseling services in Louisiana.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Dec-2005 09:16:50