To stream WWL TV on your phone, you need the WWL TV app. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video NEW ORLEANS — We heard about mental health problems in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, and then we heard about them again post-pandemic, but a new study finds the issue is only getting worse.
A new study is sounding the alarm about a problem in Louisiana that is not getting the attention it needs. “The most important piece that we found out of this is something that a lot of people in our city and in our state already know, which is we are in a mental health crisis,” said Tulane Developmental Psychologist Dr. Anita Raj the Executive Director of the Newcomb Institute. “The other concern I have is looking at these data, is that we have a shortage of mental health providers in our state and related to that, we are not at market value to pay our mental health providers.” So, what’s the cost?
Well, in the United States, it’s estimated that mental health issues and substance abuse issues are costing $300 billion in lost wages and lost productivity, and in Louisiana, it’s estimated to be in the billions. “What is happening? Well, we know we’ve got a substance use problem.
We know that in our state, we are seeing a loss of men in our workforce relative to women, a decline in participating in higher education relative to women,” she explained. Remember, this is a crucial time in life when people are starting families and careers.
They are developing job skills and raising the next generation. “There is a lot of trauma. We see very high rates of domestic violence in our state and very high rates of children witnessing women; one in five children have witnessed domestic violence against their mother,” said Dr.
Raj. Dr.
Raj suggests that treatment meet people where they are, and start early in the schools. And she suggests that workplaces become equipped to support and guide adults to help. “So, we really need to ensure that we’re getting the mental health support to people and that we have the mental health workforce to meet the needs of our state.” If you are in immediate crisis, call 988. ► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in theIOS App StoreorGoogle Play.