Red Cross, Dexter Community Schools Provide Mental Health Services for Tornado Victims

As students head back to school following last week's , mental health specialists across Washtenaw County are standing guard offering multiple services for families affected by the storm.

"After an incident like this, it is perfectly normal for victims to suffer from a lack of sleep, poor appetite, changes in mood or mini flashbacks," Naomi Zikmund-Fisher, coordinator for the Washtenaw County Health Department's Traumatic Events Response Network said. "These symptoms usually dissipate in a few weeks."

Zikmund-Fisher said the county is working with representatives from American Red Cross of Washtenaw County, who are assessing mental health cases on an individual basis.

"We have people on the ground right now in the neighborhoods and at who are capable of assessing basic mental health needs," Allison Koenigbauer, regional communications officer for the Red Cross said. "If the need arises, we can refer people to the Communication Support and Treatment Services hotline."

Koenigbauer said there has not been a lot of people actively seeking mental health services in the area since Thursday.

"People are back in their homes, talking with friends and neighbors and the impact of the storm is starting to sink in. We're seeing some people don't want to leave their home, so we're knocking on doors and trying to do the best we can to get to them. We're taking a proactive approach to make sure all needs are met."

Superintendent Mary Marshall said school officials are offering counseling and social worker services for students beginning this week.

"We observed today that students are mostly glad to be back in school. The little children were more giddy, which is a sign of students experiencing some sign of distress," she said. "Students might not be asking to see a counselor, but teachers are referring them when they feel there is a need."

Marshall said counselors, social workers and psychologists will be available to students "for as long as necessary."

"Our crisis committee will reassess the needs in our schools this week. There is 10 days until spring break, and we will keep a vigilant watch on all of our students until then."

Marshall said the district's crisis plan is running smoothly, especially without a detailed protocol for extended relief efforts for tornado victims.

"Everything is running fabulously. We assembled a crisis team at 9 a.m. on Friday with a goal to have everything in place for Monday," she said.

Marshall said parents can call their child's school to speak to a counselor if they need to talk to someone.

"Once the counselors understand the need, they can decide whether or not we are equipped to manage it, or they can refer parents to the appropriate source," Marshall said.

Zikmund-Fisher said it's important that individuals do not handle feelings of depression with alcohol.

"Alcohol does not solve the problem, and often it can make the problem worse," she said.

If you suspect someone is suffering from depression or other mental health issues, call the Red Cross hotline at 734-961-3009. Specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the Washtenaw Community Support and Treatment Services at 734-544-3050 or toll-free at 1-800-440-7548. Psychiatric Emergency Services can be reached at 734-936-5800.