Clinics Consider Longer Hours Mental Health Services Expansion Eyed for Bigger Population
Posted on: Tuesday, 20 September 2005, 18:00 CDT
The Capital Area Human Services District is considering extending hours at its clinics or opening a new walk-in clinic to meet the mental health needs of the hurricane evacuee population.
Jan Kasofsky, executive director, says the storm has put a heavier burden on the district's services, which were already beyond capacity.
The Legislature created the district to provide mental health, addictive disorders and developmental disabilities services in East Baton Rouge and six surrounding parishes: Ascension, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge and West and East Feliciana.
About 60 community groups have been meeting daily to put increased services in place, but the agency is in need of emergency funding to manage the needs of an increased population, Kasofsky said.
"We are looking at several times the demand for services in the coming months and even years," Kasofsky said.
Since before the storm hit, more than 80 district staffers have been providing services in shelters on a rotating basis.
The agency also is coordinating a team of public and private psychiatrists for critical-care needs. These professionals are visiting each of the shelters in the area or are on call, Kasofsky said.
Kasofsky said she is considering a walk-in community clinic or expanding clinics' hours.
"We are receiving an unprecedented number of calls and walk-ins to our existing facilities," she said.
Dealing with stress
The district's medical director, Dr. David Post, said that people who have lost their homes, their jobs and possibly family members and other loved ones may experience a wide range of emotional reactions to the disaster.
People may have trouble getting to sleep, withdraw from others, keep busy to avoid thoughts of the destruction, experience anger and conflict with family or become tearful for no apparent reason
"Their homes are gone. Their lives are disrupted," Post said. "Not everyone is going to respond to the same event in the same way."
Some may resort to substance abuse or suicide, he said.
"We're trying to get ahead of the curve and get mobile teams out," Post said.
About 30 percent of the evacuee population is likely to experience severe symptoms and be diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, he said.
Mental health professionals saw those levels of PTSD after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he said.
Another 18 percent of the population already had a need for behavioral services, Post said.
He said there is a significant need in the community for psychologists and psychiatrists.
Symptoms of PTSD include fatigue or exhaustion, cardiovascular strain, headaches, gastrointestinal upset and reduced immune response. People with the disorder also may experience a racing pulse or be easily startled. They may re-experience the trauma, or have feelings of hyper-vigilance or avoidance.
"The more the individual can resume normal activities in a supportive environment - that would be the best option," Post said.
That includes eating properly, getting enough sleep and interacting with family in as normal a way as possible, he said.
Where to get help
Until a new clinic is opened, clients regularly served by the agency and those affected by the storm who are in the area can receive services at any of the existing locations.
People with substance abuse problems or mental health needs can call the following clinics:
Baton Rouge Mental Health Services, 4615 Government St., Building 2, (225) 925-1906 or (225) 925-9209.
Margaret Dumas Mental Health Clinic, 3843 Harding Blvd., (225) 359-9315.
Gonzales Mental Health Clinic, 1112 SE Ascension Complex, (225) 621-5770.
Center for Addictive Disorders, 4615 Government St., (225) 922- 0050.
Developmental Disabilities, 4615 Government St., (800) 768-8824.
People experiencing life-threatening mental health emergencies can call the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center/The Phone, (225) 924-3900.
Individuals needing additional information, including hours of operation, can visit the agency's Web site at http://www.cahsd.org.
Individuals who need services outside of the Greater Baton Rouge area should call (225) 342-2540.
The district's administrative offices can be reached at (225) 922- 2700.
Source: Advocate; Baton Rouge, La.
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