Some of the researchers claims:
“many people were exposed to some degree of adversity, and that puts them at greater risk for mental health problems both immediately and over a long period of time… Delays in rescuing people who were stranded by the flooding in New Orleans compounded the anguish of the Katrina survivors, the researchers noted. The slow response by governmental agencies to rescue the victims produced feelings of hopelessness, isolation and anger.”
I appreciate the study done by these researchers but duh! We all saw the horrific images from New Orleans, Mississippi and surrounding areas. People stranded on the top of their roofs, in and outside the Super Dome with nothing to eat slowly going mad from hunger, exhaustion and outrage. Long-term damage was obviously done to Katrina survivors especially those trapped within the city limits.
Many of these survivors are poor so I wonder how many of them are receiving counseling for the trauma they went through. Many of these people unfortunately will be left out just as they were before during and now after Katrina. Flood Insurance or no flood insurance what happened in New Orleans is a tragedy and should never be repeated again.
If you are a Katrina survivor or know survivors please let us know of any programs addressing the mental stability of survivors.
Makes me worry about my family members who got out the day before the hurricane but lost all their personal belongings. Now, nine months later, they're still pretty traumatized but rebuilding a life elsewhere. I hope they can overcome it.
Posted by: claire | May 18, 2006 7:48 PM | Permalink to Comment