Louisiana Spirit and Stay Healthy Louisiana, two programs launched in the wake of the 2005 hurricanes, are working together to draw attention to mental health concerns and offer assistance to those dealing with stress, depression, fatigue and other mental health issues.

While the holidays are a time for family, good food and celebration, they can also be a time of great stress, particularly for those who are still rebuilding their lives after the hurricanes of 2005. Because you or someone you know may need a little help keeping holiday spirits high, Louisiana Spirit and Stay Healthy Louisiana have put together some tips for dealing with the stresses of the season, including how to manage expectations and methods for relaxing both the mind and the body:

Holiday Stress Tips 1: Managing Expectations

Holiday Stress Tips 2: Ways to Relax

Holiday Stress Tips 3: Relax the Body

If you or a family member needs to talk about stress and anxiety this holiday season, Louisiana Spirit’s toll-free crisis counseling hotline,1-800-273-TALK (8255), is available. Individuals in need of help can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with counselors who can make appropriate referrals for additional counseling and other services.

What is Louisiana Spirit?

Louisiana Spirit is not only reaching out to people who experienced trauma during the storms, but to those who experienced the stress of caring for evacuees. Those who served as emergency, hospital or social services staff during the disaster are also receiving help.

Louisiana Spirit provides free crisis counseling services through community outreach, public education, information and referral. The program is funded through grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Louisiana Spirit operates under the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals—Office of Mental Health.

For more information, visit the Louisiana Spirit Web site.

Submitted by Rob Anderson. Filed under Mental Health

Comments

Can Katrina Evacuees/Survivors living outside of Louisiana avail themselves of these programs? I am currently living in Denton, TX.
Beverly Williams on August 31st, 2007

Persons outside of Louisiana can get information about Louisiana Spirit by calling (225) 219-5000. Also, individuals that are in need of mental health assistance can call the Louisiana Spirit hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Admin on October 11th, 2007

Neither New Orleans City Hall, nor the Louisiana State directory assistance, nor 411 directory assistance has a contact number to reach you. You may want to contact them and leave a number. If they do have a number for you, it must be under many layers of departments because none of them could find your number.
Dierdre Steib Mauss on July 2nd, 2008

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