(New Orleans, La. - Oct 11, 2007) More than two years after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, a record number of local families desperately struggle with ongoing trauma. Medical Teams International, an Oregon-based relief agency, and Celebration Church, a New Orleans area ministry, are meeting this need together by providing trauma counseling training for hundreds of local mental health professionals and pastors.

"Overall the suicide rate in the Gulf is triple the national average," says Michele Louviere, a trauma counselor at Celebration Church. "Recovery is going to be a long process, but we're here until people get through the entire crisis. Our goal is to train as many mental health workers as we can, who in turn, can care for people in their local communities."

A second wave of disaster is around the corner, says Louviere. "Once families address their physical needs—their homes restored, the insurance issues resolved—then the emotional healing begins. And for many people, that process is still ahead."

Recognizing the impending wave of "silent suffering," Medical Teams International and Celebration Church have created a community wide program. Currently, trauma teams organized by Louviere work from five sites through out the city and include 20 counselors. The group of seven professionals and 13 graduate-level counseling students see 150 to 200 clients each week.

Medical Teams International was one of the first agencies to respond to Hurricane Katrina, sending medical volunteers, supplies and funds to the region in the first week. The agency deployed nearly 500 volunteers to rebuild more than 100 homes, provide medical care and trauma counseling services for people in need. This year, Medical Teams International plans to send 12 volunteer teams to reconstruct 20 homes in the Gentilly area in collaboration with local partner, Vineyard Mercy Response.