I have just returned from a humanitarian mission in Puerto Rico where I was a post-disaster mental health counselor. The conditions there are truly disturbing and not getting any better. Three and a half months after Hurricane Maria, there are still areas where electricity and water are unavailable and jobs have been discontinued as there are no utilities with which to conduct business. The anxiety, depression and suicide rates are off the charts and heading up as the people are frustrated in their attempts to improve conditions.

The U.S. government needs to act and act quickly. Economic, material, and mental health resources must be provided and non-government organizations must be recruited to go over there. Do contact your members of Congress and try to get them to do what is needed to get aid to these people.

Thomas A. Skurky, Durango

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