In May of 2020, Gulf Coast Center (GCC) was awarded a Texans Recovering Together Crisis Counseling (TRT CCP) grant offering no-cost counseling and outreach services. These services will be ending January 30, 2022. The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) focused on preventing or mitigating adverse consequences of a federally declared disaster by addressing crisis needs through a public health lens. Over the last two years, GCC’s TRT CCP has supported Brazoria and Galveston Counties residents (children, adults, and special populations) through a double disaster; COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri 2021.
Through individual and group counseling, and community-wide education, assessments and referrals, development and distribution of educational materials, the program aimed to:
o Offer mutual support by providing social and emotional support.
o Help disaster survivors understand their current situation and reactions.
o Assist survivors in creating and implementing personal and group recovery goals.
o Support survivors in identifying existing coping strategies and improving a plan to enhance skills.
o Encourage survivors in constructing and improving stress management techniques and self-care routines when experiencing anxiety related to an event.
o Empower survivors to advocate for their own short-term and long-term recovery needs and services.
o Connect survivors with local agencies and resources that aid in their recovery process.
Coupled with the stress of the pandemic and winter storm, persons were anxious, frustrated, and sad, making it impossible to maintain a daily routine. Navigating the stress and uncertainties of life is challenging. Therefore, crisis counselors engaged with survivors while diligently establishing and strengthening community networking partnerships, essentially encouraging survivors to “Be Kind to Their Minds.”
Since May 2020, the organization has served over 3,200 survivors and provided approximately 70,000 CCP primary and secondary services through virtual and in-person individual counseling sessions, psychoeducational workshops, support groups, and print and social media platforms.
Up to January 30, 2022, any individuals in Brazoria and Galveston Counties feeling inundated with anxiety and emotionally fatigued may call our COVID-19 Support Line at 1-800-643-0967 Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm to speak with a crisis counselor. Additionally, if persons are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call our Crisis Hotline – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
