Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Suicide Prevention Grant - RFP

Gulf Coast Oil Spill – Dealing with Stress

Citizens on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are use to picking up the pieces and working hard to restore their lives.  This ability to bounce back, known as resilience, is usually learned through surviving hard times.  Gulf coast residents and businesses have already seen their share of tragedy with Hurricane Katrina. With an ironic twist of fate, once again tragedy strikes, this time man made.

The oil drilling business is dangerous and there are explosions and fires, but the spill caught everyone off guard from the initial event to daily increasing magnitude of its long term effects.  Residents, business owners, wildlife and sports enthusiasts and other patrons of the area must draw on the same emotional strength to adjust to the adversities this man made disaster has created as when familiar natural disasters confront us.

Most people cope better with tragedies by first being well informed on the issues and understanding the worse-case possibilities. Then, develop personal, family and/or business plans with specific steps to address the impact. Be patient with yourself, family and those who are trying to help.

“Initial reactions of shock, disbelief, anger, anxiety, frustration and helplessness are common feelings in such situations,” said Mardi Allen, Mississippi Department of Mental Health Clinical Liaison. “With effort, this same emotional energy can be redirected toward productive actions which have been shown to foster a sense of hope. Stay connected with friends, relatives and volunteers who are offering to assist.”

The following are several signs that adults may need help in managing stress:

•       Insomnia or difficulty sleeping;
•         Dizziness or difficulty maintaining balance;
•         Momentary speech loss, difficulty communicating thoughts or limited attention span;
•         Temper loss, dramatic mood swings or becoming easily frustrated;
•         Increased use of drugs and alcohol;
•         Headaches and stomach problems; and
•         Disorientation, confusion, fear of crowds, strangers or being alone.

For individuals who were already having difficulty coping with prior emotional issues, it is recommended that they seek professional assistance during this stressful time.  When emotional health is already fragile extreme stress could have devastating results.         

Concerned citizens, not personally affected, but emotionally affected by the oil spill can find ways to contribute to efforts to restore the gulf coast by volunteering your time to reputable organizations taking part in the clean-up.

For more information on mental health services, contact the DMH Helpline at 1-877-210-8513.  Trained DMH staff members are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also contact Gulf Coast Mental Health Center at 228-863-1132 or Singing River Services at 228-497-0690.

DMH REQUESTS FUNDS FROM BP FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Mississippians on the Gulf Coast are forced to endure difficult times. Individuals are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history, and hurricane season has begun anew. When emotional health is already vulnerable due to these other factors extreme stress can have devastating results.         

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health has requested from BP a behavioral health impact mitigation fund of $10 million to administer grants to public and private mental health providers in the areas impacted by the oil spill from July 1, 2010 – January 1, 2011. After which another grant of $10 million to cover behavioral health impact mitigation for the next three years may be requested which would be reviewed each year depending on utilization.

Service providers, already stretched to capacity, are reporting spikes in domestic violence and substance abuse, and expect to see a spike in anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services  Administration Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress division suggest that, left unmitigated, disaster-cause reactions can manifest later as depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders, paranoia and suicidal behavior. The Mississippi call center for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline currently receives its highest call volume from the coastal counties.

DMH intends that these funds be used for the creation of crisis teams and to supplement clinical mental health services in the affected areas. Traditionally, our crisis teams have helped people in numerous ways including filling out paper work, linking individuals to resources, and offering a listening ear.

DMH has previous experience in developing a mental health crisis response program and already has a blueprint in place. Supportive counseling and teaching resilience skills can make a positive impact in the lives of individuals dealing with disasters. Many of the individuals affected do not typically take initiative to seek mental health services. It is vital for us to take a proactive approach. By providing funds, BP will be investing in individuals’ mental health through early intervention which may impact long-term physical and mental health needs.

Common Disaster Reactions