LAURENS COUNTY, Ga. — In his address Thursday morning, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recalled speaking with first responders who answered devastating calls, saying it took an emotional toll.
His focus on state-wide recovery efforts includes mental health management. Laurens County Emergency Management office said since Hurricane Helene, they haven't noticed an increase in mental health calls.
"We are very closely knit together, so where we may have some of those mental health issues, we also have really great morale," Laurens County EMA Public Information Officer Liz Green said.
But Green said resources are in place at Community Service Board of Middle Georgia. One of their affiliates, Rise Up Recovery, is ready to step in.
"We use peer support and we sit there and talk to them; if they are in a crisis mode, we can take them over to mental health, get them in for emergency crisis appointment," Rise Up Program Director Ashley Black said.
Now Green says though they haven't received a high number of mental health crisis calls, they understand no one was prepared for Helene's impact and are focused on having everyone's backs.
"When your basic needs are ripped away from you - water, shelter, food - that does take a toll on anyone's mental health," Green said.
Black says its important to seek help when you feel your mental state dwindling and for those in recovery, she said it's a risk for relapse.
"We have connections with the detox where we can get them detox or treatment because unfortunately, a lot of times with these national natural disasters, an addiction relapse happens when people are in recovery," Black said.
She said her group wants to be a safe haven for folks, providing basic needs or a listening ear.
"We're more than willing to sit there and listen and be that ear and give you a hug and just be there with someone as they go through this struggle because no one was prepared for this," Black said.
When their offices aren't open, she said people can head over to the Georgia Council website for virtual peer support.
For additional resources, reach out to Community Service Board of Middle Georgia. The organization serves 16 counties, including some impacted areas Kemp visited on his tour. He encourages people to call the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline if needed.