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Houghton, MI – Our community continues to feel the impact from this year’s devastating Father’s Day flooding.
In addition to the challenges of physically rebuilding or restoring damaged homes, flood victims and helpers are vulnerable to mental health challenges that can result from the tragedy, according to Leslie Griffith, Outpatient Program Director at Copper County Mental Health in Houghton. She says, “our community has ‘sisu,’ but we continue to feel the impact.”
The federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration website explains that even resilient individuals experiencing a disaster commonly show signs of stress. It also suggests monitoring the physical and emotional health of those affected as well as those responding to the needs of disaster victims is important.
The knowledge about how people are impacted by traumatic events led Griffith to organize a community forum in Houghton on Monday, September 17, the three-month anniversary of the flooding, to share ways we all can help rebuild community health.
The forum will be held at the Houghton High School Auditorium at 5:30 pm. Experts from Copper Country Mental Health and Dial Help will explain how to notice potential traumatic stress symptoms as well as recovery strategies. Those affected directly or indirectly as well as concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.
