Oil distress hotline offered by HHS

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a toll-free hotline to connect families impacted by the April 20 BP Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill with local mental health providers.

Lafourche Parish Public Information Officer Brennan Matherne said he was not sure which resources had been secured locally by state or federal officials, but added that is a service parish leaders are glad to see being provided. “I am not sure [of the details],” Matherne said. “We were just asked to get the word out.”

In a printed press release, Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph noted that there are many individuals and families that continue to suffer mentally and emotionally, as well as economically, due to the tragic spill and its impact on coastal Louisiana during the past six months.

“There are many here who will continue to suffer the effects of this oil spill over the next several years,” Randolph said. “Most of these people have never had to face problems like this and may not be ready, able or willing to seek professional help. This helpline gives them the ability to get the help they need while maintaining their privacy.”

“We know that residents throughout the Gulf Coast region continue to deal with the disruption to their livelihoods and communities caused by the oil spill,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a printed statement. “The resulting stress they are feeling is real, and if behavioral health conditions are left untreated, we can expect that the situations theses individuals and their families are living with will worsen. The Oil Spill disaster Helpline [is] a critical tool in getting people the help they need ….”

Matheme explained the helpline was established by HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and is being administered through the state government.

The HHS BP Oil Spill Distress Hotline number is 1-800-985-5990. More information on this service can be secured at www.hhs.gov/ gulfoilspill/index.html.