I have just returned from a humanitarian mission in Puerto Rico where I was a post-disaster mental health counselor.
The conditions there are truly disturbing and not getting any better. Three and a half months after Hurricane Maria touched down, there are still areas where electricity and water are unavailable and jobs have been discontinued as there are no utilities with which to conduct business.
The anxiety and depression rates are off the charts and heading up as the people are frustrated in their attempts to improve conditions. The suicide rate increased after the disaster and continues to escalate as feelings of helplessness are rampant.
Many of the nongovernmental organizations that headed over there three months ago have left, even as the mental and emotional stress has continued to rise. It is a disastrous situation getting worse.
There is no question but that the U.S. government needs to act and act quickly. NGOs must be recruited to go over there and economic, material, and mental health resources must be provided.
Do contact your members of Congress and try to get them to do what is needed to get aid to these people.
Thomas A. Skurky
Durango
