In the first indication that BP will take the mental stress challenges arising out of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill seriously, the company has announced that it will provide $52 million in funding to federal and state agencies for support and outreach programs in the Gulf coast states.
Propublica quotes Lamar McKay, president of BP America as saying that the company appreciates that there’s a great deal of stress and anxiety across the region, and that this has raised severe mental health challenges. These challenges need to be addressed, and therefore, the company is providing assistance for mental health assistance programs.
According to the funding breakdown,
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will receive $10 million
- Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals will receive $15 million
- Mississippi Department of Mental Health will receive $12 Million
- Alabama Department of Mental Health will receive $12 million
- Florida Department of Children and Families will receive $3 million
The announcement that the company would provide funding for mental health programs came after a study conducted by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. According to the study, two thirds of parents living in the Gulf states reported that their children were showing signs of physical and mental stress since the oil spill. Some of the symptoms included coughing or wheezing, severe skin rashes, depression, and sleeping difficulties.
Not too surprisingly, these symptoms seem to be the most prevalent among children in low-income families, earning less than $25,000 a year. These families are under the highest threat of financial ruin from the spill, and it’s likely that parents are projecting some of that anxiety and stress on to their kids.
The maritime lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. represent injured oil rig workers, fishing vessel crews, cruise line crew members, barge and tug operators and other maritime workers in accidents in Texas and across the globe.
