Red Cross Crisis Counselors Offer Emotional Support

Mental Health Professionals Available to Help Bolster Recovery Efforts in Hurricane Charley’s Wake

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, August 18, 2004 — The recent Hurricane disrupted thousands of lives, left many people without homes, and in some cases, jobless. American Red Cross counselors are seeing the effects of stress in increasing numbers.

"There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Hurricane Charley has caused emotional upheaval," said Susan Hamilton, American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Officer. "As the impact of coping with temporary difficulties and concern for the welfare of family and community continues for the residents of Florida, many of the victims are faced with the extreme stress this disaster caused."

Red Cross counselors are helping people get back to normal as quickly as possible. "In addition to the challenges of picking up the pieces of their lives, many victims are grieving the loss of their homes, possessions and their usual support systems," Hamilton said.

There are 80 licensed mental health professionals working to meet the needs of those affected. At service centers, these counselors see individuals or families who have disaster-related emotional needs and provide appropriate assistance. The American Red Cross continues to help victims of Hurricane Charley who may have disaster related emergency

Hurricane Charley Red Cross Relief Facts	Stats to Date (as of 8/17/04)
Shelters/evacuation centers	253
Shelter Population	48,657
Meals and Snacks	532,262*
Health Services Contacts	529
Mental Health Contacts	923
Emergency Response Vehicles Deployed	126
Red Cross Workers Deployed	1,481**

* Numbers will fluctuate as information is reported and confirmed.
** Workers from 47 of 50 states and U.S. territories have been deployed to help provide assistance

"We’re going to be here helping for the long haul," said Joe Becker, Vice President of Response, American Red Cross. "Thousands of volunteers are helping to meet victims’ immediate needs - like providing a safe place to stay, hot meals and helping with their emotions. Thanks to monetary donations from families and companies to the Disaster Relief Fund, we were able to start helping even before the storm hit."

From August 13 – 18, we have received $14.7 million in pledges, $4.5 million of which has already been received. The estimated costs for continuing to provide disaster relief to Hurricane Charley victims is around $50 million. This number is an estimate, and may change depending on updated damage assessment figures and the amount of people requesting Red Cross assistance. "We’re about to enter the peak of hurricane season and we’re asking our neighbors from across the country to make an investment into their own community by donating to the Disaster Relief Fund," Becker said.

For more information regarding Hurricane Charley, please visit www.redcross.org, contact your local Red Cross chapter, or call the toll-free American Red Cross hotline 1-866-GET-INFO.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org.