Experiences of chronic stress one year after the Gulf oil spill

One of the largest oil spills in world history happened off the Alabama Gulf coast in April of 2010. One year later the Gulf Coast community was still trying to recover and reestablish itself as a major source for the shipping, tourism, fishing and energy industries. Although this disaster did not physically destroy communities and families, it did take an economic and psychological toll. Researchers conducted focus groups with mental health professionals employed by Project Rebound, a state sponsored response to disasters in Alabama to explore the mental health effects of the Gulf Oil Spill on two gulf coast communities one year after the spill. Project Rebound clinicians were the front line of the mental health response to the spill and collaborated with community service agencies to provide support to adults, children, and families in the Gulf Coast community. The semi-structured focus groups allowed staff to discuss the extent of mental health treatment utilization as well as provide valuable input as to what can be done to better prepare communities and agencies for future disasters.