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by Neydja Petithomme
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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Americares launched a new, year-long mental health and psychosocial program this month (May) that focuses on supporting first responders, health care workers, nonprofit staff and volunteers who have been affected by Hurricane Helene.
Americares announced the new recovery effort during Mental Health Awareness Month (May).
Donna Porstner, the vice president of communications for Americares, said there will be mental health specialists based out of Asheville that will provide free individual and group staff support sessions and tailored trainings in Psychological First Aid, stress management, coping techniques and more.
HURRICANE HELENE'S AFTERMATH RAISES MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS IN WNC
According to the release, the services will include:
Welcker Taylor, who is the president of the Asheville Firefighter Association, described the mental health struggles that first responders faced during Helene.
LOCAL EXPERT SHINES LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES WITHIN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
"That just weighs on guys," he went on to say. "You throw on top of that an event like Helene, where all of us were at work for a week straight seeing really dramatic things being unfolded in front of us."
"It's taxing," Taylor said. "It wears on you after a while. You don't sleep well and it makes small trauma seem even bigger."
To learn more about the program and how you can get involved, contact Americares at helenerecoveryteam@americares.org.