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For Immediate Release
Date: February 10,
2005
Contact:
Michael R. Rosmann, Ph.D.
Executive Director AgriWellness, Inc.
1210 7th.St. Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 235-6100
Web Site:
http.www.agriwellness.org
Most Iowans are
extremely resilient and can cope with the stress of recovery from
disaster if they are able to access support through family, friends or
caring helpers. According to Lila Starr, Mental Health Disaster
Services Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Human Services, �Most
people are able to adjust satisfactorily to a major disaster, but about
eight percent of persons experience mental health or addictions problems
that require assistance. Usually these problems don�t develop until
several days to weeks after the disaster. A further reduction in
problematic outcomes occurs with the help of trained outreach
assistance.�
The Iowa
Department of Human Services is providing a Crisis Counseling Program to
persons affected by the severe storms that crisscrossed Iowa in 2004.
More than 69 tornadoes and 110 flashfloods occurred in late May � early
June, 2004. The state is contracting with AgriWellness, Inc., a
nonprofit organization with headquarters in Harlan, to enable teams of
outreach workers to provide information and support services, to ensure
that more Iowans experience healthy recovery from the stress and trauma
from these disasters. The outreach workers have received training in
proven crisis counseling recovery techniques. The project, Iowa
Recovers, enables the outreach workers to visit people at their homes,
businesses or at a community facility. Services are confidential and
free of charge. The outreach workers are also available to conduct
community educational meetings and events.
An outreach
worker can be accessed by calling the Iowa Concern Hotline at
800-447-1985. Dr. Michael Rosmann, the project manager from
AgriWellness, Inc., indicated that services will be available until
approximately mid-June, 2005, unless additional needs are identified and
funding is obtained.
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