Flood victims dealing with psychological well being struggles after January storm

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Flood victims nonetheless out of their properties and staying in resorts are nonetheless struggling.

Whereas the mud and particles are gone, many are actually coping with severe psychological well being struggles.

Christina Aguirre remembers the precise second she realized she wanted to succeed in out for assist.

“In my automotive, in site visitors, having a full-on panic assault, like about to go out and I used to be like, okay I must do one thing,” says Aguirre.

It was current, practically two months after the January storm, that devastated her dwelling on South forty second Avenue. ABC 10News first launched you to her household the week of the flood, they misplaced all the things.

“The feelings simply got here flooding, I actually cried for per week final week, I took work off for 40 hours straight,” says Aguirre, one thing she’s by no means felt earlier than.

Christina isn’t the one one struggling, volunteers who work with flood victims say they’ve spent numerous hours with individuals processing their loss and attempting to rebuild.

Charlotte Macera is a counselor who’s stepped in when individuals had been at their lowest. She is who Christina known as when she wanted assist.

“Offering a security plan with wholesome coping instruments and simply being a constant face in the neighborhood,” Macera.

There are psychological well being assets out there by means of a number of native non-profits and a helpline by means of FEMA, however Macera thinks they’re must be on-site assist on the resorts for pressing circumstances.

“In order that they want to have the ability to stroll down, and speak to any person as these suicidal ideas are taking place, because the stress is heightened,” says Macera.

Aguirre has already taken step one, beginning the consumption course of to see a therapist, and desires to encourage others, that it’s okay to ask for assist.

FEMA and the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers have a Catastrophe Misery Helpline that you may name in case you are struggling. The quantity is 800-985-5990. The helpline is free and supplied in a number of languages.