America has been described as a nation of ideas transformed by events. Some events propel us forward. Others test our mettle. Hurricane Katrina certainly qualifies as an event of the mettle-testing variety.
Clinicians are seeing significant symptoms of traumatic stress among survivors. Calls to local suicide hotlines are up 60% post Katrina. SAMHSA estimates that up to 500,000 people may be in need of assistance...a number that is likely to grow as “Katrina-weariness” sets in, making the survivors even more vulnerable to depression and other problems. Growing anxiety over the upcoming hurricane season…heightened by skepticism over the state of readiness…is taking a heavy toll on the nation’s mental well being.
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