Disaster support available during Women’s Health Month

WACO, TX — From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to February of 2020, a staggering 2.3 million woman have left the job force and become caregivers. Job numbers that have not been seen, nationally, since 1989. #TexansRecoveringTogether recognizes Women’s Health Month throughout May, offering virtual and telecommunication mental health and emotional support contact through the CCP webpage.  

Since October 1, 2020, #TexansRecoveringTogether has provided nearly 15,000 COVID-19 mental health support services. A large percentage of services, 67%, being delivered were mostly to women. For more than a year our community has been tirelessly seeking certainty during the uncertainty of COVID-19 and most recently the Winter Storm disaster. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that two out of every three caregivers in the U.S. are women, suggesting. they frequently provide support to kids, the adult population, or individuals with chronic illnesses or a disability. 

“Our data shows that in the past month, survivors have experienced over 40% emotional distress, and a majority of those survivors are women.” said Tanya Ledesma, Media Liaison for Texans Recovering Together Crisis Counseling Program. “Women have been heavily impacted since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Many women have experienced high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression due to lack of financial security, management of remote schooling for their children, and the uncertainty of the pandemic has caused their overall health to go unchecked. American Psychological Association says that nearly 47% of mothers with a child in remote schooling has reported their mental health has worsened. Even as we continue with life in the pandemic, the plight of women and the long-term effects of the pandemic will ultimately cause changes in lives that may last years.”

The #TexansRecoveringTogether CCP is funded through a short-term relief grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It uses non-traditional and virtual settings in the community to promote resilience, empowerment, and recovery. Counselors can also help people identify and access community resources to help them cope with these federally declared disasters.

“Our counselors are not only professionals, but they are woman who have first-hand knowledge on how difficult this past year and a half has been,” said Ledesma. “Challenges will always be there, and our counselors are here to provide certainty during uncertainty.”

Now it is offering Winter Storm disaster support as well. Services are available toll-free at (866) 576-1101 or visit our website at www.trthotccp.org.