A health survey conducted in July by health professional from the University of Florida and the University of Maryland found that the BP oil spill had some significant impacts on Franklin County residents even though the actual impacts from the oil was very minimal. The study was conducted July 20th through the 22nd with the help of the Franklin’s Promise Coalition.
38 men and 36 women representing the seafood and tourist industries took part by providing their health histories, as well as participating in measures of their mood, anxiety and coping styles.
What the study found is that the post-oil spill rate of depression in Franklin County is at least 37 percent and could be much higher.
In the general population about 13 percent of people report an episode of depression at some point in their lives.
The study also found that there is an elevated rate of anxiety disorders in the community and there is an increase in fatigue and confusion.
Increased alcohol use was found in 19 percent of the subjects.
The study concluded that the current level of distress put a significant number of local people at risk for long-term psychological problems but many could be helped with community support, economic relief and mental health services.
The study mirrors numbers released by the Apalachee Center for Human Services last month where demand for crisis stabilization services by residents of Franklin County between April and June 2010 had doubled from the same time period last year.
In addition, requests for walk-in appointments for counseling have also increased sharply, particularly in Franklin County.
BP is providing 3 million dollars to Florida to provide mental health services to coastal residents.
Those services are being provided through the Life Management Center in Bay and Gulf counties and the Apalachee Center in Franklin and Wakulla counties.
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