Give an Hour Provides Free Mental Health Services to Hurricane Sandy Victims and First Responders

Give an Hour expands its reach to include victims of Hurricane Sandy and first responders dealing with the aftermath of the devastating storm.

(PRWEB) November 16, 2012

Give an Hour?, a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to members of the military, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, their loved ones, and their communities, is expanding its reach to include victims of Hurricane Sandy and first responders dealing with the aftermath of the devastating storm.

?We in the mental health community have valuable skills and services to offer. We must do our part to assist the victims of this disaster as well as our first responders ? military and civilian ? by making ourselves available to those who are suffering and those who have stepped up to provide relief following the devastation in New Jersey and New York,? explains Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour.

Dr. Van Dahlen adds, ?There are over 400,000 licensed mental health professionals in the United States. Collectively we represent an important resource that can be harnessed during times of need. Through our efforts to provide counseling and support to our military community, we have learned just how important an hour a week can be to someone who is suffering. We are asking all licensed mental health professionals to join our network ? so that we are ready when and if we are called upon to serve.?

Mental health professionals interested in joining Give an Hour can complete an easy online form at http://www.giveanhour.org. Those seeking help from Give an Hour in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy should email requests to Lisa Calixto at lcalixto(at)giveanhour(dot)org.

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About Give an Hour?

Give an Hour is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. The organization is dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of military personnel, their families, and the communities affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As of August 2012, Give an Hour has approximately 6,500 providers across the nation?in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam?with more volunteer mental health professionals joining its network every day. In addition to counseling, providers also consult to schools, first responders, employers, and community organizations. Give an Hour has already provided over 70,000 hours of free service, valued at more than $7 million. To learn more, visit http://www.giveanhour.org or http://connected.giveanhour.org.

Lauren Itzkowitz
litzkowitz@giveanhour.org
301-960-4082
Email Information

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hour-provides-free-mental-health-services-hurricane-sandy-140653085.html

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