Free Crisis-Counseling Services Available to Those Affected by Allison

Help is still available for disaster-related stress. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Texas Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation continue to partner to provide crisis-counseling services for those affected by Tropical Storm Allison.

"Stress is a normal, common and most often, a temporary response following a disaster," said Scott Wells, federal coordinating officer for FEMA. "We urge people who continue to feel depressed, angry, frustrated or overwhelmed by the Allison disaster to seek help."

Crisis counseling helps Allison survivors recognize normal stress reactions and emotions caused or aggravated by the recent disaster. The counseling helps victims gain emotional control and can provide simple steps to help individuals cope, including stress management techniques for both adults and children.

"Many individuals who go through a disaster, experience some form of lingering stress related to the incident," said State Coordinating Officer Duke Mazurek. "We want Allison victims to know that they can count on help with regaining their emotional well being."

Individuals desiring additional information on crisis counseling are invited to call the following:

Harris County – Team Leader: Judith Onisiforou, (713) 970-3059, (713) 970-3054 - Fax

Physical address: Northside Family Resources Center, 330 N. Beltway East, Houston 77060

Mailing address: 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston 77074

Gulf Coast – Team Leader: Tammy Brasel, (281) 482-4805, 281-482-6657 – Fax

4650 Dixie Farm Road, Pearland 77581

Spindletop – Team Leader: Joanne Roper, (409) 839-1043, (409) 839-2269 – Fax

2750 South 8th Street, Beaumont 77701

Conroe Team – Team Leader: Jason Herring, (832) 513-4424, 281-877-8754 – Fax

(Located in north Houston, pending lease space in Montgomery County)

In the remaining 20 counties, individuals can call the local mental health center crisis hotline located in the telephone book.

Daniel M. Thompson, director of the Disaster Assistance Program Medical Services, said, "Texas Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation staff members are trained to offer immediate help, and in more than 85 percent of situations, the help can be provided at the home of the person seeking assistance."

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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