Assessing Community mental health facility needs and capacity before, during and after Hurricanes Katrina & Rita

On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Southern United States leaving a trail of physical, mental and monetary devastation that continues today. Less than a month later Hurricane Rita added to the catastrophic damage as communities rallied together disregarding state lines, to tend to those in need. The mental health community found itself in the middle of a public health crisis. Although devastating, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita provided opportunity to evaluate a greatly strained system and how well the mental health community responded to the dual disasters. Discussion presented from a research study examines community mental health facilities in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida reviewing the capacity needs confronted such as adequate number of counselors, the ability to refer, the top four mental health needs comparing before, during and after the disaster and recognition of the impact from the loss or separation of a companion animal on a client. The tragedies of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have taught many lessons that can be used to recognize and lessen the impact of any disaster on the community mental health system and those it serves.