Washington, D.C. - Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined with the Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic and the Whatcom County Health Department to announce a new program for Whatcom County residents who are psychologically impacted by the recent tsunami. Beginning today, the clinic will provide free screenings, support, and follow-up referrals for local residents impacted by the tsunami that struck south and southeast Asia last month. Larsen worked with the clinic and the county to start the program.

“The tsunami tragedy has impacted all of us-even those of us who only watched it on the news. We all want to do something to help those touched by this tragedy,” Larsen said. “The Tsunami Counseling program in Whatcom County will help make sure that local residents have somewhere to go for counseling or support.”

The counseling program will offer a free, one-time hour-long mental health screening, support and follow-up referrals if deemed necessary for residents who recently returned from the impacted countries; family and friends of victims; or even local children impacted by the news footage of the disaster. The program begins today, Monday, January 10 and will operate through the end of this month. Whatcom County has agreed to provide a majority of funding for the program. Interested residents can call the clinic at 360-676-2220, press “0”, and ask for “the Tsunami Counseling Program.”

“Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic’s mission is to help everyone in Whatcom County with their mental health needs as they occur,” said Clinic Executive Director Andy Byrne.  “The tsunami tragedy has presented an immediate mental-health need, and we consider it a privilege and a priority to help local residents who are struggling with this catastrophe.”

He continued, “I am encouraged to see Congressman Larsen’s Office, County Executive Kremen, and the clinic come together to quickly get a program off the ground to meet such an important local need.”

Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic has offered mental-health and psychiatric outpatient services to the residents of Whatcom County since 1958. The Clinic is a non-profit community mental-health center licensed by the state of Washington.
Larsen was also pleased that yesterday the House and Senate passed a bill (H.R. 241) to allow taxpayers to deduct on their 2004 taxes any charitable contributions made in January 2005 for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami. The bill is now law.

Larsen represents the 2nd Congressional District--including Whatcom County in the U.S. House of Representatives.