La. residents feeling mentally taxed from BP oil spill

It’s been five years since Katrina left her disastrous mark on south Louisiana that is still, in part, trying to be erased. And now, with millions of gallons of oil overtaking the Gulf waters, many Louisiana residents are finding their lifestyles abruptly uprooted for a second time, as they deal with the stress of yet another disaster.

“I think the reality of everything is just now beginning to be felt,” said Jennifer Gaudet, the associate director of individual and family assistance of Catholic Charities in Houma.

The reality being the loss of income that many residents whose livelihoods are tied to the fishing industry are enduring. They are still waiting for an outcome that is presently questionable, at best.

“Everything is kind of a wait-and-see game right now,” Gaudet said.

And along with the waiting game comes the financial stress that escalates with each passing day. There has even been some suggestion of a potential influx of victims of the Gulf oil disaster showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I don’t believe the oil spill is going to cause people to have PTSD,” said former 7th Marine Scout Sniper Jay Taylor, who spent the last 40 years after Vietnam coping with and learning about PTSD for his book, “Point of Aim, Point of Impact.”

While Taylor does not consider himself an expert on mental health, he has an understanding on what to expect since he has had first-hand experience with PTSD. He explained that studies have shown only 8 percent of people who suffer a traumatic experience in their lifetime actually end up with PTSD.

He thinks the Gulf oil disaster will bring on something different.

“What I think you’re going to see more of in this situation is acute stress reaction. The difference between the two is that PTSD is usually caused instantaneously, but with the oil spill, we don’t know the degree of disaster yet,” Taylor said.

Regardless of the category of mental distress these victims are afflicted with, organizations like Catholic Charities have been implementing response programs to help ease the financial as well as psychological burden.

“We received funding directly from BP to help residents with rent, utilities, food, medicine and mental health counseling,” Gaudet said.

But residents have yet to reach out and take the help.

“It’s been kind of slow at this point, it hasn’t reached massive proportions yet,” Gaudet said. “We’ve assisted about four people in Terrebonne and two people in Grand Isle so far, and about 15 are going through paperwork.”

Gaudet is hopeful that the numbers will go up in the upcoming weeks, as more and more people come to terms with the severity of their situation.

“We wish if people need the help to please come and take advantage of it because we’re here to help,” she said.

Taylor also believes that if people are feeling depressed or stressed, they should seek help now rather than later.

“It’s normal that people are going to be affected by this disaster, and if they are not equipped to deal with that they should get help,” Taylor said. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Residents in need of help are encouraged to call (985) 696-1943.