Puerto Rico Experiencing Mental Health Crisis after Hurricane Maria

At a Glance

• Puerto Rico is still devastated from Hurricane Maria and lacking power in large parts of the Island.  

• The national suicide hotline is flooded with calls, and the issue is now classified as an island-wide, mental health crisis.

• Adventures has disaster relief trips leaving all spring and summer

It’s more than four months after Hurricane Maria, and Puerto Rico is still heavily grieving the disaster. A large part of the island is still waiting for power and clean water to return. And as this crisis transitions from immediate relief, to long-term recovery, FEMA will begin scaling back aid.

Puerto Ricans are still living in shock and devastation. This continued state has caused unbelievable emotional stress and, for many, a complete loss of hope.

Today the New York Times’s reported, Puerto Rico’s only suicide hotline has been flooded with calls – the island is having an official mental health crisis. Many Puerto Ricans feel the world has forgotten about them and nobody cares anymore.

Listen to full story here.

The New York Times reports, “Many Puerto Ricans are reporting intense feelings of anxiety and depression for the first time in their lives. Some are paranoid that a disaster will strike again. And people who had mental illnesses before the storm, and who have been cut off from therapy and medication, have seen their conditions deteriorate.”

There are so many devastating tragedies around the world, and so often we feel helpless to do anything about it. This tragedy doesn’t have to be one of those times.

Adventures is positioned to send compassionate people on disaster relief trips right now (and all through the summer) to aid with recovery and to minister to the Puerto Rican people.

2018 Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Trips

Youth

March 4 – March 9

March 11 – March 16

March 18 – March 23

March 25 – March 30

July 8 – July 13

July 15 – July 20

July 22 – July 27

July 29 – August 3

August 12 – August 17

Full youth trip details here

Adult

April 15 – April 20

April 22 – April 27

April 29 – May 4

May 20 – May 25

June 18 – June 22

July 1 – July 6

Full adult trip details here

Steve Dupree, Adventures’ Director of Ministry Development says, “The time is now, Puerto Rico is staggering back to their feet. While the power is still not on everywhere, there is enough structure for Adventures to begin to host teams and help Puerto Rico begin to rebuild their homes and their lives.”

Ministry on disaster relief trips will most likely include:

• Sharing hope and love with locals

• Cleaning and clearing debris

• Clearing and restoring gardens used for food

• Restoring damaged roofs

• Sorting and distributing supplies

• Wall and floor construction

• Tiling floors

• Painting

This Island is a part of our country and needs to be reminded of how cherished they are by Jesus. Puerto Rico desperately needs the hope of Christ. Will you bring it to them yourself this year?

Register for a Disaster Relief Trip here.

If you want to contribute financially for power generators and relief supplies you can do that here.