Therapists across North Carolina are offering free counseling services for those affected mentally by Helene
We're trying to serve a triage of people but anybody who reaches out, and is struggling."
NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) –In addition to the financial impacts of Helene on residents in Western North Carolina, it’s also affecting survivors’ mental health.
Some mental health professionals are donating their time and expertise to assist.
Keelin: “What’s so hard about asking for help?”
Carolyn: “I think the hardest part about asking for help is that it causes you to look inward and causes you to face some of the things that are challenging for you and it’s a lot easier for people to stuff that down or ignore it.”
It’s not always the easiest opening up, but when you’re ready, Carolyn Miller is there to listen.
“We’re trying to serve a triage of people but anybody who reaches out, and is struggling,” Miller says. “We’re going to have folks out in the community who have gotten away from the storm and had to evacuate. So, we’re going to have folks from everywhere.”
Images showing the devastation from Helene in Western North Carolina are affecting many people mentally. So, to help, Miller, with The Healing Point, a coalition of mental health professionals, is offering counseling services at no cost.
“We’re huge advocates for mental health. As social workers, we see the opportunity to serve people everywhere we go,” Miller says.
Many people are getting help thanks to social media, spreading the word of her and her partner’s services.
“A small group of us came together and my now good friend Ally Barker had started a list on Google Sheets of people willing to give their time,” Miller explains.
It’s just another way to help. We’ve seen people giving donations to flood victims. However, in this instance, Miller is donating her time.
“There’s this heavy presence of ‘survivor guilt.’ So folks up there and even folks down here in Wilmington were not directly impacted by the storm they’re going to find that they’re having a lot of heavy emotions,” says Miller.
Miller continues by saying if you’re ever feeling trapped behind a closed door, The Healing Point is ready to assist.
Anyone is available to get help from several therapists across North Carolina. Sessions are 45 minutes to an hour long. For more details or to schedule a time with one of these therapists click here.
