Resources available to those affected by winter storm Uri

For many people, this past winter storm disaster, along with COVID-19, has impacted their mental wellness, and this is where #TexansRecoveringTogether can offer support.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is instinctive to experience stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a disaster.

In an unprecedented event, Winter Storm Uri impacted all 254 counties in Texas the week of February 12-16th of this year. Beginning February 11, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. approved a major disaster declaration for the state of Texas. Texans lost the most essential need to survive this winter storm, power. More than six million Texans were without power, and equally were without water due to freezing pipes. Our data suggests before the winter storm, 24% of our consumers were already experiencing anxiousness and fearfulness, and another 16 percent of our consumers were experiencing sadness. With 33 percent of our consumers experiencing an emotional reaction due to COVID-19, this past winter storm disaster increased their emotional reaction to 40%. Texans Recovering Together is here to offer mental health and emotional support, as well as link Central Texans to resources provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

#TexansRecoveringTogether offers virtual and telecommunication mental health and emotional support through the CCP webpage for its six-county catchment area of McLennan, Bosque, Hill, Falls, Limestone, and Freestone counties. As stated on the FEMA website, assistance is offered to individuals and business owners who sustained losses in designated areas and can begin to apply for assistance by registering on the Disaster Assistance website or call their toll-free numbers, (800) 621-3362 and (800) 462-7585.

#TexansRecoveringTogether is a program funded through a short-term relief grant from FEMA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It uses a strength-based, outreach approach that utilizes crisis counselors to meet individuals or groups in non-traditional and virtual settings in the community to promote resilience, empowerment, and recovery. Counselors can also help people identify and access their resources, as well as community resources to help residents cope with this unprecedented disaster.

Since October 1, 2020, #TexansRecoveringTogether has provided nearly 11,000 individual and group COVID-19 mental health support services. Now it is offering winter storm disaster support as well. Services are available toll-free at (866) 576-1101 or visit our website at www.trthotccp.org.