(Spencer)– Additional resources are being brought into the region to assist flood victims with needs for mental health services. Kelly Garcia of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says they’ve deployed “Disaster Behavioral Health Response Teams” to northwest Iowa. Garcia says as of last week, they had counseled more than 100 people so far…
“Our team provides short term crisis counseling services for those in need. We provide translation services for those with language barriers which has been an increasing need in northwest Iowa communities. And we even assist with other navigation efforts helping secure transportation or food resources, and working with other local agencies to support community needs.”
She expects the demand for those types of services to increase further as time goes on…
“Most people will focus on physical damage first. That’s absolutely understandable. And so after those affects are finished, we turn to the behavioral health needs that will be the next focus for individuals that have lost everything. They will see their lives changed in a really significant way, and that’s where our team comes into play.”
Garcia says they also have some online resources available…
“For more information please visit our disaster recovery resource pages on our Iowa HHS website, also on Homeland Security’s website. Our dedicated website is hhs.iowa.govdisaster. And remember that if you or a loved one find yourself in crisis, 988 is only one phone call away.”
Garcia adds the Disaster Behavioral Health Response Teams will remain on the ground for weeks and months to come.
