| <html> |
| <body> |
| <p>EMBED Word.Picture.6 EMBED Word.Picture.6 </p> |
| <p>FEMA-DR-(XXXX)-PR#1 </p> |
| <p><strong>MEDIA CONTACT:</strong> <strong><em>(DATE)</em></strong> </p> |
| <p><strong><em>(NAME)</em></strong> Federal Emergency Management Agency 123-456-7890</p> |
| <p><strong><em>(NAME)</em></strong> State Emergency Management Agency 098-765-4321 </p> |
| <p><strong>CRISIS COUNSELING FUNDS NOW AVAILABLE </strong></p> |
| <p>(CITY, STATE) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has funded a ($ AMOUNT) grant to (STATE) Department of Mental Health to provide immediate crisis counseling services for victims of the (DISASTER). </p> |
| <p>"Losing a home, business, or personal property to disaster takes a financial toll on victims," said (NAME), federal coordinating officer. "But the emotional toll a disaster exacts can be devastating too. A victim's emotional recovery also needs to be addressed.” </p> |
| <p>Common reactions to a disaster may include: nightmares, difficulty sleeping, feelings of being overwhelmed, fear of the weather, anxiety about the future, difficulty making decisions, hopelessness, disappointment with outside help, headaches, increased anger or aggression, domestic violence, frustration, and feelings of powerlessness. These feelings can be exhibited by people of all ages, including children. </p> |
| <p>"People affected by a disaster can be seriously stressed and confused by the sudden adversity in their world,” said (NAME), state mental health counselor. “We try to keep them from being overwhelmed and empower them to regain control of their lives. No one who experiences a disaster goes untouched by it."</p> |
| <p>Crisis counseling helps storm victims recognize normal stress reactions and emotions caused or aggravated by a disaster and regain control over themselves and their environment.</p> |
| <p>Any individual who was affected by the disaster and is in need of crisis counseling, and lives in any one of the counties designated a disaster area, can call their county mental health services office. Individuals who have suffered losses or damages from (DISASTER TYPE) can register for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) between (AM) and (PM), (DAY-DAY). The number for the speech- and hearing-impaired is TTY 1-800-462-7585. Individuals may also register for disaster assistance at the FEMA website HYPERLINK "http://www.fema.gov" www.fema.gov .</p> |
| <p>###</p> |
| <p>More information is available on FEMA’s For the Media site, at <strong>www.fema.gov/media</strong>, and radio actualities are available from the FEMA Radio Network <strong>(1-800-323-5248).</strong></p> |
| <p><strong>Disaster News </strong><strong>News</strong></p> |
| <p><strong>JOINT INFORMATION CENTER</strong></p> |
| </body> |
| </html> |
|
|
