Counseling will be available at the Seaside Heights Community Center at Bay and Hancock Avenues聽from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday聽and Tuesday (September 16 and 17), and into the week, if necessary.
鈥淭his heartbreaking tragedy comes so closely on the heels of Sandy devastation,鈥� said Jennifer Velez, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, which oversees the Disaster and Terrorism Branch (DTB) and deploys crisis counselors to impacted areas.聽 鈥淧eople still recovering from the stresses caused by Sandy are now experiencing more trauma, and likely will need some emotional support.鈥�
DTB oversees the Disaster Response Crisis Counselors and the New Jersey Hope and Healing Program.聽There are more than 600 credentialed disaster crisis counselors statewide聽and聽an estimated聽200 Hope and Healing counselors.
鈥淪o many of these聽residents聽have just gone through an extended period of anxiety and uncertainly, and, now, the fire. We expect they will need emotional support,鈥� said DTB Director Adrienne Fessler-Belli. 鈥淢any business owners already have seen their livelihood threatened and may be facing more losses.鈥�
The DTB receives about $600,000 in state funds, which is supplemented with federal grants. Hope and Healing operates with a $11.5聽million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The state contracts with the聽Mental Health Association聽in聽New Jersey, Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Family Services in Atlantic County and Family Services Bureau聽of聽Newark to provide Sandy-related crisis counseling.
鈥淥ur citizens and business owners in Seaside Heights and Seaside Park have barely been able to come up for air in the last year, first with the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy and now this heartbreaking blow from a fire that destroyed numerous businesses along several blocks of a boardwalk that is part of the fabric of the Jersey Shore,鈥� said Ocean County Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. 鈥淭he cooperative effort with the local towns, the county鈥檚 Department of Human Services, state agencies including Hope and Healing and the Red Cross to provide crisis counseling to our residents and business owners will surely be welcome and helpful.鈥�
Research shows that anxiety and depression can increase as people聽experience a prolonged disaster recovery聽and the return to regular routine is delayed. Symptoms can include: anxiety, a feeling of hopelessness, depression, sadness, inability to concentrate, insomnia, isolation and grief or they may experience nightmares, flashbacks, new or worsening health problems.
鈥淔ollowing two large disasters in this community within 12 months, The American Red Cross wants to let the community know our resources are available for them. One of these resources includes our Disaster Mental Health Unit to help individuals employ their own coping skills and resources to deal with these extremely stressful and tragic circumstances. We are there to help with problem solving, make referrals when necessary, and provide information,鈥� said Dr. Raymond Hanbury, a clinical psychologist who serves as the American Red Cross鈥� New Jersey State Lead for Disaster Mental Health. 鈥淭hese disasters have affected the lives of this community in South Jersey. When facing such devastation and disruption, one may find themselves in need of emotional support and accurate information to start the road to recovery again. We are there to provide whatever assistance we can offer in order to cope with the challenges they may face during this very trying time.鈥�
Residents have a few resources to access:
For more information about New Jersey Hope and Healing, call 1-877-294-HELP (4357), TTY:聽1-877-294-4356.
For the Disaster Mental Health Helpline:聽 (877) 294-HELP (4357).
For clinical mental health services, a confidential helpline:聽1-855-HOPE4U1.
