Question originally asked by Eudith Rodney, New Orleans

Yes, there is such help available. Louisiana Spirit is the federally funded, state-operated Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program for individuals, families and groups most affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Louisiana Spirit focuses on addressing post hurricane disaster mental health needs and other long term disaster recovery initiatives. We are the organization charged by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) with connecting Katrina and Rita-affected residents all over the state to crisis counseling.

Louisiana Spirit partners with Access to Care and the American Red Cross to provide mental health services to citizens affected by the hurricanes. Access to Care helps individuals to cover the cost of emotional support services, including individual, family, couples and group counseling, auricular acupuncture, and psychotropic medication. Assistance is available retroactively for services received since August 30, 2005, as well as for future mental health costs received on or prior to September 30, 2008. The program provides up to $2,000/per person in reimbursement for, or direct payment of outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment and/or reimbursement for psychotropic medications. For more information about Access to Care, visit their Web site at www.a2care.com.

Further, the Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Mental Health is currently working with many adults with serious and persistent mental illness and children and youth with serious emotional disturbances receiving outpatient mental health services. These services are rendered through licensed community mental health centers (CMHC) and their satellite outreach clinics located throughout the state.

The CMHC facilities provide an array of services including screening and assessment; emergency crisis care; individual evaluation and treatment; medication administration and management; clinical casework services; specialized services for children and adolescents; specialized services for criminal justice; specialized services for the elderly; and pharmacy services. Inability to pay does not have an impact on the receipt of services. For more information, visit the Department of Health and Hospitals Web site and click on the Offices link. Then, scroll down to the Office of Mental Healths link to their Web site.

We encourage residents who need to speak with someone who can get them in touch with a crisis counselor to call the 24-hour national, crisis line 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The line is open 7 days a week and callers will be immediately routed to counselors in their area. Residents can also call Louisiana Spirits office at (225) 219-5000 or visit the Web site, www.louisianaspirit.org for information about service providers in your area.

Answered by Dr. Anthony Speier, Director of Disaster Mental Health Operations, Louisiana Office of Mental Health /Director of Operations for Louisiana Spirit. Filed under Mental Health

Comments

Louisiana college student had dental work before katrina storm and I haven't had any dental service since,I don't have insurance, where can i get help
carolyn on August 14th, 2007

Carolyn, We can look into what options may be open to you. Could you tell us where you are located? Admin
Admin on August 17th, 2007

Became ill after hurricane and have not been able to work and I have braces, which I still have a balance that needs to be paid and because I am unable to work cannot afford payments. This is causing serious damage to my teeth because I cannot get the care needed due to lack of insurance.
Elizabeth Sims on January 31st, 2008

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