Local News in Brief : Post-Quake Counseling
Two federal agencies have appropriated funds to provide short-term counseling and other mental health services to Los Angeles County victims of last October’s major earthquake.
Authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute of Mental Health, the grant will be used by county health officials to provide help until Oct. 15.
Among the free services provided through the program are short-term crisis counseling, confidential symptom assessment and referrals to public and private agencies for people who need long-term aid.
Health officials said that persistent symptoms such as sleep difficulty, nightmares, impaired appetite and work behavior, depression, anxiety attacks and uncontrollable flashbacks of quake-related memories may be signals of mental health problems.
Persons needing assistance are encouraged to call the county mental health department at (213) 738-4961.
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