Post Traumatic Stress After Sandy

Today, Zucker Hillside Hospital (ZHH) and The Katz Institute for Women's Health presented an incredibly informative and interesting presentation on the post traumatic stress after "Super Storm Sandy"

The panel:

• Victor Fornari, MD, Psychiatric Services, ZHH
• Peter D'Amico, PhD, Director, Child and Adolescent Psychology, ZHH
• David Hymowitz, Mental Health Association of Nassau County
• Gwen O'Shea, President / CEO Health and Welfare Council of Long Island

Honestly, each presenter had such valuable information, intensity and compassion - one was better than the next.

Dr. Fornari introduced the program and began with three questions to the audience - by a raise of hands who was directly effected by Sandy? just a handful... the third question who is working in the community dealing with the families effected by Sandy? most raised their hands

Later on it was addressed that, in fact, we were all directly impacted by Sandy. However, we interpret that question to physical loss.

I believe it was Dr. D'Amico who pointed out one thing that I, personally, ran across - when people shared their story, somewhere in the next sentence was "but so many others lost so much more" .... which was a statement that in turn invalidates their situation.

After our Super Storm, where statistics are staggering, with the size and duration of the storm, the addition of a full moon etc. etc. we still have 110,000 households (registered) in need.

I will not go into the psycho/social attributes of the program - I could not express all that was said in a cohesive blog for you - I am still absorbing the ideas presented. However, what I can offer is the incredible services that are available to all.

For children www.nctsn.org National Child Traumatic Stress Network

(even Sesame Street covered the hurricane and friendship and community)

* after Katrina 25 - 50% of the children needed counseling

Project Hope FREE confidential services, trained counselors available to "listen" to your needs, feelings and experiences. They can guide you to the proper channels for help. Their resources are available for families, individuals, schools, businesses, community groups and organizations. The services are at your convenience - times that work for you...take advantage; call and mention that you are calling for Project Hope...(these are Nassau numbers - but you will be directed to Suffolk/NYC numbers as needed)

• Central Nassau - 516-822-6111 x267
• FEGS - Health and Human Services 516-505-2003
• Hispanic Counciling 516-538-2613
• Long Beach Medical Center 516-897-4326
• Long Beach Reach 516-889-2332
• Mental Health Association of Nassau County 516-489-2322 x1322
• North Shore Child and Family Guidance 516-626-1971
• South Nassau Community Hospital 516-377-5400
• South Shore Association for Independant Living 576-297-6413
• South Shore Child and Guidance Center 516868-3030 x203
• YES Community Counseling 516-799-3203

Please reach out to a Disaster Case Manager, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island

and United Way of Long Island are partnering to coordinate the Hurricane Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable - call 211.

Once you have exhausted all available resources such as FEMA, Insurance and the like - your case can be presented to the Unmet Needs Roundtable and IF your needs (for rent, mortgage, utility, car and home repair, household goods, job search and child care) when met - leave you in a position to sustain that- they can help. You must be registered with a Disaster Case Manager to access the Unmet Needs Roundtable so REGISTER NOW or visit www.211longisland.org

I noticed on the Health and Welfare Council websire ther is FREE tax preparation available

Nassau

Suffolk

Please understand, I am giving you information briefly explained to me - so I do not have all the answers - but there are answers and help for you! I will try to get Suffolk telephone numbers ASAP.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it.” -Lena Horne