– Ticket to Hope, a program offering free mental health counseling for survivors of the 2008 floods, tornadoes and storms has been extended through September.

“Ticket to Hope is designed to help people cope with the anxieties and stress brought on by the disasters that hit Iowa two years ago, including Iowans who survived those disasters only to have their anxieties reignited by this summer’s flooding ,” says Victoria Brenton, Ticket to Hope program manager for the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS).

Disaster survivors who are uninsured, those who have insurance but lack mental health coverage or those who have exhausted their mental health benefits can receive up to eight free counseling sessions. The program is a cooperative effort of the DHS and a network of Iowa-licensed mental health providers around the state.

Brenton says disaster survivors simply need to call the Ticket to Hope hotline, 1-800-447-1985. Staff at the hotline will verify the callers’ eligibility and provide them with a list of participating mental health counselors, along with up to eight vouchers that disaster survivors can present to the counselors to obtain free services.
The program initially was set to expire June 30. However, the continuing needs of disaster survivors and the availability of federal funding will allow the services to be offered for three additional months.
“Many Iowans continue to remain under stress from the economic and emotional damage they experienced in 2008, including some who have been traumatized again by the floods of 2010,” Brenton says. “Dozens have sought assistance through Ticket to Hope in the past three months, which tells us there still is considerable need for mental health services.”
Counselors say disasters can contribute to a wide variety of mental health symptoms, such as:
Inability to focus on normal daily activities

· Depression

· Lack of interest in hobbies

· Increased irritability, arguments, family conflicts including domestic violence

· Clinging, nightmares, aggressive or regressive behavior by children

· Illness and imagined illnesses by adults or children

· Increased fatigue or exhaustion

· Increased alcohol consumption and/or substance abuse

· Survivor’s guilt
Brenton and participating mental health counselors urge disaster survivors not to ignore their symptoms and to reach out for help. Instead, they should consider the services as treatment for a common health problem.
For more information, visit www.tickettohope.org.