The New Gulf War, depression

When we feel as if we wait for what we want, we feel in power of changing today with hope. When we believe that if we do a good job and work hard, we can hold our heads up high. The problem comes when we are at the mercy of others. In this case, BP.

The people living and working in the Gulf did nothing wrong to cause this to happen to them. This was totally out of their control, but they are left to suffer for what other people decided to do. There is very little hope for them of this getting better until BP stops the oil from escaping into the Gulf. Once they know that is done, then their outlook on the next day will change but the bigger problem comes as the days go on. Mental health help will ease some of the stress but without real change in their lives, their depression may last a long time.

Faced with oil spill, Gulf residents fight mental pain


By Agence France-Presse
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 -- 2:29 pm


With the Gulf oil spill destroying livelihoods across southern Louisiana, anxiety over an uncertain future is prompting a desperate rise in depression, health officials and residents warn.

"This whole area is gonna die," cried fifth-generation fisherwoman Darla Brooks in an interview Wednesday with AFP, in the small fishing-based town of Buras.

"Down here, we have oil and we have fishing. We are water people. Everything we do involves the sea, and the spill has taken it all away from us," she said.

Brooks, 37, who grew up on the Gulf of Mexico being taught how to fish and shrimp by her father, lamented the loss of a way of life -- and being deprived of teaching a five-year-old grandson how to be fish boat captain just like her.

"I'm angry, I'm frustrated. I've been contemplating suicide to the point of making myself a hangman's noose; honest to God. Then I decided that's not going to do anything, apart from shut me up," she said, promising not to cry anymore.
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Gulf residents fight mental pain