Hurricane Dennis Crisis Counseling Available
Release Date: August 10, 2005
Release Number: 1595-048
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Dennis
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Individuals in Escambia, Franklin, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Wakulla counties affected by Hurricane Dennis are eligible for disaster crisis counseling funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Crisis counseling outreach staff know that while physical damage may be visible, stress from the loss of a job or belongings, home displacement and repairs, and loss of loved ones can linger and appear weeks or months after a traumatic event. Such changes in routines may cause adverse reactions: fatigue, anger, depression, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, headaches, nausea, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate and alcohol and drug abuse.
“Unsolved problems caused by disasters can wear people down emotionally,” said State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT). “It is understandable if some residents are stressed or grieving and need to speak with someone confidentially.”
The state of Florida’s Department of Children and Families administers crisis counseling through Project HOPE. Victims from the eligible counties can call the toll-free Crisis Counseling Hotline at 1-866-518-1825, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The speech- and hearing-impaired may contact the Florida Relay TTY Center at 1-800-955-8771 and request that their message be relayed to Project HOPE via the hotline number.
FEMA has approved a $539,000 grant to fund the state’s program.
“A hurricane can leave behind emotional as well as material damages,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Justin DeMello for FEMA. “We encourage anyone affected by the hurricane to speak openly and candidly to counselors. This plays a big part in deterring future health problems.”
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10-Aug-2005 15:02:35