Barre neighbors, Heather Farrington, and her husband, Arthur, experienced shock and heartbreak after the July 2023 flood that filled their basement with water to the top of the ceiling.One year later, Farrington said their basement is cleaner than it’s ever been and all that’s left to fix around the house are cosmetic. However, she said she’s still dealing with lasting emotional effects from the flood.”Any time there’s like a big thunderstorm it kind of triggers something. I don’t know if it’s PTSD or something, but, it is really stressful and it’s like a burst of anxiety every time it rains really hard. I’m like ‘Is it gonna be ok?'” Farrington said.She’s not alone. According to the Vermont Department of Health, over two thousand people have used the state’s Starting Over Strong program, connecting flood victims to mental health resources.In May, Rep. Becca Balint introduced the ‘Mental Health Emergency Needs in Disasters’ Act. Health professionals have been researching to understand the effects of the floods to get long-term help to flood victims. “We’re not just looking at fixing the bricks and mortar. We’re really making sure that we’re investing time and energy into taking care of the people as well,” Rep. Balint said.Even though Farrington is aware of the state programs available to her, raising her mental health, like the physical things, will take time. “…Just another thing. I’m like, ‘Ugh, I’ll be ok,” Farrington said. The Vermont Dept. of Health encourages all flood victims to call or text 211 or 988 to be connected to resources if they’re struggling with mental health.
Barre neighbors, Heather Farrington, and her husband, Arthur, experienced shock and heartbreak after the July 2023 flood that filled their basement with water to the top of the ceiling.
One year later, Farrington said their basement is cleaner than it’s ever been and all that’s left to fix around the house are cosmetic. However, she said she’s still dealing with lasting emotional effects from the flood.
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“Any time there’s like a big thunderstorm it kind of triggers something. I don’t know if it’s PTSD or something, but, it is really stressful and it’s like a burst of anxiety every time it rains really hard. I’m like ‘Is it gonna be ok?'” Farrington said.
She’s not alone. According to the Vermont Department of Health, over two thousand people have used the state’s Starting Over Strong program, connecting flood victims to mental health resources.
In May, Rep. Becca Balint introduced the ‘Mental Health Emergency Needs in Disasters’ Act. Health professionals have been researching to understand the effects of the floods to get long-term help to flood victims.
“We’re not just looking at fixing the bricks and mortar. We’re really making sure that we’re investing time and energy into taking care of the people as well,” Rep. Balint said.
Even though Farrington is aware of the state programs available to her, raising her mental health, like the physical things, will take time.
“…Just another thing. I’m like, ‘Ugh, I’ll be ok,” Farrington said.
The Vermont Dept. of Health encourages all flood victims to call or text 211 or 988 to be connected to resources if they’re struggling with mental health.
