There is no shame in asking for support for mental health problems in today’s environment. Help continues to be available locally for victims, families, first responders and others impacted by last July’s flood in Kerr County through the support provided by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
When soldiers returned from World War I and World War II and experienced flashbacks and numerous other mental health issues, it was called “shell shock.” Many of the war veterans never received mental health help or received only limited help through the Veterans Administration after its creation in 1930.
It was not until the Vietnam era and afterward that the symptoms received the modern name of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and became a description of a modern, broader clinical diagnosis of mental health issues tied to a number of different events in the lives of people other than military combat. It is often tied to a car accident, natural disasters or even recurring emotional trauma. It can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental and physical health.
After the July 4 flood last year, Kerr County residents who were survivors of the flood, relatives and friends of the victims who lost their lives, first responders who jumped into action to save lives and recover victims, and a variety of other community members faced the possibility of long-term mental effects from what they experienced.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country quickly organized to provide resources for persons in the community and around the state associated with the flood who were dealing with mental health issues (PTSD) related to the flood.
“We have all kinds of resources on our RebuildKerr.org website for mental health,” said Jayne Zirkel, chief marketing officer of the Community Foundation.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, people sought help, but now, almost nine months later, many members of the community are still dealing with the mental challenges brought on by their experiences in the days and weeks after the flood.
Zirkel emphasized last week that those services are still available and she encourages anyone having any issues to visit the website for information on where to seek help.
Here are several of the significant signs of PTSD:
• Reliving the trauma by having flashbacks. Flashbacks are like time travel and happen when a person suddenly re-experiences a traumatic event as if it is happening again in their life. Flashbacks can be triggered by sights, smells or sounds;
• Nightmares are another significant sign of problems. Vivid, disturbing dreams related to the traumatic experience. People with nightmares may dread going to sleep. Sleep does not come easy (insomnia) and often is caused by persistent anxiety and the inability to relax;
• Another symptom is avoidance behavior, when the person avoids certain places, people or even conversations that could trigger memories of the event;
• It is not uncommon for someone with PTSD to feel disconnected with their emotions. Little or no joy in their lives, struggling to express love, or feeling of “numbness” are typical signs;
• PTSD can often manifest itself in sudden outbursts of anger or consistent irritability and can often strain relationships, and in extreme cases cause divorce;
•Headaches, stomach aches, chest pain or a pounding heart can be symptoms of PTSD;
•People with PTSD may harbor guilt or feelings of shame related to the trauma, particularly if they feel they could have done something different at the time;
•Activities or hobbies that once brought joy are now meaningless or irrelevant after the traumatic event;
•Sometimes the fear of trusting others leads to difficulty in interpersonal relationships;
•PTSD sometimes leads people to isolate themselves and avoid social interactions in fear of judgment, misunderstanding or triggering situations;
•Persons who have mental health crises sometimes turn to alcohol, drugs or other substances to manage or escape symptoms, which again leads to additional challenges in their life and, in the worst scenario, become violent or even suicidal.
Recognizing the signs of PTSD can be life changing. Early identification is important and seeking professional help can significantly improve quality of life. Experts say that recovery is a different process for everyone and stress that there is no shame in asking for support.
Developing coping strategies to help manage the symptoms is very important to regaining control during and after adversity. Help is available in Kerr County for anyone who thinks they may be suffering from a mental health crisis related to the July 4 flood.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has pledged $10 million to ensure every person affected by the flood, including children, families, first responders, caregivers, clinicians and visitors, can access mental health services that are trauma-informed, evidence-based and easy to reach.
To address widespread emotional needs, the Foundation issued multi-year grants to nonprofits across Texas and throughout Kerr County to expand individual and family counseling, peer-support groups, grief and loss programs, trauma-informed care for children and adolescents, crisis intervention services and community healing programs including art, movement, storytelling and group workshops.
In a recent newsletter from the Foundation, more information is provided:
“The Foundation’s Mental Health and Well-Being Advisory Council, composed of psychologists, therapists, social workers and faith leaders appointed by the Board of Trustees, guides every program. The Council brought in the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to assess needs and recommend programs, interventions and services that address both current and emerging mental health needs,” the newsletter reads.
Trauma-informed care includes counseling, grief support, crisis response and community healing programs. The Foundation has provided local counselors, teachers, clergy, first responders and helping professionals with training to strengthen the regional mental health workforce.
Resilience and burnout-prevention programs were launched for frontline helpers, especially first responder mental health needs. The initiatives are designed to strengthen local resources for years to come.
An important part of the push is also public awareness of the issues to reduce the stigma and encourage people with issues to seek help.
Community healing efforts can feature group support, art-based therapies, faith-community programs and resilience-building initiatives. Statewide sources beyond Kerr County are also available through the Foundation’s program.
The Community Foundation through its Family Mental Health Care fund has provided support for family members of the more than 130 people who died in the floods last July, including families in San Saba and Burnet counties that also suffered floods and loss of lives.
The Foundation through the Meadows Institute provides funds for insurance co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance for services for people who have health insurance and provides help connecting families with clinicians who specialize in trauma and grief in their local community.
As of mid-February, the Foundation has granted $3.9 million to nine different organizations in Kerr County providing help to flood victims and others impacted by the flood including the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, Hill Country MHDD, Hummingly Foundation, Hunt and Kerrville ISDs, Kerrville Police Department Foundation, Light on the Hill, New Hope Counseling Center plus the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.
Flood survivors, family members and others impacted can complete the Rebuild Kerr Needs Assessment at RebuildKerr.org. A case manager will help identify available programs, provide referrals and support next steps. For more information on services available, contact the Meadows Institute at (469) 436-2371.