Responding to calls from the Obama Administration and the Gulf Coast states, BP recently announced its intention to contribute $52 million to help address the immense behavioral health (substance abuse and mental health) needs of Gulf Coast area residents and workers struggling to recover their livelihood in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

As discussed in the recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) Letter Report: Assessing the Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill on Human Health, the oil spill has “disrupted delicate social, economic, and psychological balances in communities across the region.” From the fishing community to the local tourism industry, individuals in affected areas face an uncertain economic future, causing significant anger and resentment.

In addition to the stress resulting from a potentially permanent disruption of their livelihoods, residents are and will remain concerned about the immediate and long-term effects of the oil spill on their health. The long-term effects of the cleanup efforts on the workers are not yet known.

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