HancockCountyRelief

Depression On The Rise

11/7
The alternative number for those in crisis is 1-800-273-TALK. This number will put callers in touch with the federally funded National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a service that has been in operation since January, 2005

WAPT.com
Experts: Gulf Coast Residents Battle Storm-Related Depression
POSTED: 10:22 am CDT July 25, 2006
UPDATED: 10:26 am CDT July 25, 2006

GAUTIER, Miss. -- Some Gulf Coast counselors said they're receiving a lot of calls from people dealing with depression associated with Hurricane Katrina.

Linda Jones of Pine Grove Counseling Center in Gautier said people are feeling stress while living in FEMA trailers or rebuilding their homes. She said those effects are spilling over to local teenagers, who respond by using drugs or alcohol.

Hurricane Katrina prompted the Mississippi Department of Mental Health to begin the program Project Recovery. There are 371 crisis counselors with the program who give Mississippians everything from telephone counseling to actual visits to the person's home.

Organizers said each month the number of suicide calls to the hot line increases.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

posted by Leslie @ 7/28/2006 10:36:00 AM