Disaster Crisis counselors working for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health want flood victims to know that professional help is available to anyone struggling in the aftermath of the flood.
Seeing your home or business swallowed by water is enough to overwhelm anyone. And that's why professionals like Dr. Sheila Lowe, the Director of Crisis Services for Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Service is reaching out to flood victims.
Dr. Lowe says, "we're there, we're normal people just like everyone else and we're there to provide support."
The Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Service is located on Wisconsin Avenue in Vicksburg. So far, the counselors have served about 30 flood victims, experiencing anxiety from the recent disaster.
Don Brown, the Warren Director for Warren-Yazoon Mental Health Service says, "you know you can have the anxiety, but it can go into full blown panic attacks people could end up in the emergency room."
Some signs of anxiety related to a crisis like a flood include, "the inability to rest, not able to sleep at night, the nightmares," says Dr. Lowe.
Crisis counselors say some basic, but very effective ways to manage stress when dealing with a crisis include eating healthy, exercise, get plenty of rest and also have a very good support system.
"And that makes the blow a lot easier to take, knowing that you have support and people are there for you," says Brown.
If you do seek counseling services at Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Service, the first step is seeing a therapist. And during a major crisis like flooding, officials don't want you to think about money.
Brown says, "first off we want people to know that we want them not to come thinking about oh I can't afford to pay for it right now, this is a crisis and we want to be a good community partner."
If you live in Warren County and would like more information on counseling call 601-638-0031.
Those living in Yazoo County can call 662-746-5712.
The Department of Mental Health's 24/7 hotline number is 877-210-8513.
Copyright 2011 WLBT. All rights reserved.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
