Last year, after Harvey, Texas Standard Host David Brown met up in Galveston with Jeff Temple, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch. They talked about the possible mental trauma that could occur during the storm, based on research he did after Hurricane Ike. A year on, Brown asked if we are far enough from the storm to make any determinations about the mental health impact for those who endured Harvey.
Temple says that it’s possible to see the lingering effects of a traumatic event six months or so after it has happened. And a year on, those who need additional help dealing with their experiences should be identified.
“Even some of the non-clinical effects are showing their heads in the sense that now kids are returning to school, which is great in the sense that they get that structure back,” Temple says. “But it’s also a reminder that it’s been a year since that disaster, and they’re still some kids that are not at the same school, or not at the same house, and are still having effects from it.”
What you’ll hear in this segment:
– How schools and teachers can help children deal with storm-related trauma.
– What resources have been put it place to help those experiencing mental health issues
– Where more resources are needed
