Free mental health services available Saturday at St. Andrews Episcopal Church - The News Herald

“Just as I’m going around the city and running into people and talking to my own folks, there’s still a good bit of what I call hurricane PTSD going on. There are a lot of people still living under tarps and who haven’t gotten their homes fixed.”

PANAMA CITY — Psychological first aid and help for Hurricane Michael survivors will be available at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Saturday.

Mental health professionals will be at the church’s parish hall, 1608 Baker Court in Panama City, to listen to survivors and make suggestions of what people can do to help them feel better. The free event is from 10 a.m. to noon.

“The entire area is invited. We want to reach out,” said Reverend Margaret Shepard. “Just as I’m going around the city and running into people and talking to my own folks, there’s still a good bit of what I call hurricane PTSD going on. There are a lot of people still living under tarps and who haven’t gotten their homes fixed.”

Local mental health professionals have also previously noted the rise of anger, trauma and anxiety in Bay County after Hurricane Michael. Some mental health service providers have reported a rise in clients after the storm and said mental health issues may lead to changes in behavior that require professional help.

Driving around the area has brought Shepard to tears, and she said everybody is still “reeling from the devastation.”

“I hear it in my own parishioners who haven’t been able to get their homes fixed,” said Shepard. “We’re inviting people to come tell their stories and share the things they are concerned about. We want to be available to people’s needs.”

The mental health professionals at the Saturday event have experience helping children, families and people with PTSD and depression, as well as in substance abuse and suicide prevention programs. Reaching out to children after the hurricane is important, said Shepard.

For more information, call 850-763-7636.



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