Counseling available for flood victims

CEDAR RAPIDS - Iowans suffering from stress or other emotional issues brought on by floods and tornadoes in 2008 may qualify for free mental health counseling.

Ticket to Hope, through the Iowa Department of Human Services, offers up to eight free counseling sessions through June 30 to uninsured disaster victims or those without mental health benefits.

The Abbe Center for Community Mental Health offers counseling to clients in Linn, Jones and Benton counties.

Disaster victims can call a 24-hour hot line at 1-(800) 447-1985. Eligible clients will be sent an authorization form, list of providers and invoice for the provider to submit to the Iowa Concern Hotline at the end of each session.

For information, see www.tickettohope.org