Status of life in nola

Psychological Issues -- One other underlying theme from many interviews was
the mental toll this disaster exacted on the people of New Orleans. Virtually no part of
life in New Orleans has been easy since the hurricane. People have been worried about,
for example, housing, transportation, their children's education, caring for elderly parents,
obtaining health care, and dealing with insurance companies or government programs.
There is no "down time." The constant state of anxiety, of the "fight or flight" reaction to
a stressful environment, inevitably causes adverse psychological reactions, similar to
post-traumatic stress syndrome. One psychologist described New Orleans as a city of
"the wounded taking care of the wounded." Health professionals have seen increased
alcoholism, drug use, spousal abuse, divorce, and suicide. Against this increased need,
the number of available professionals is vastly reduced; by one report, only 22 of a
previous 169 psychiatrists had returned to the City by April, 2006.

The Will to Succeed -- New Orleans certainly is making a comeback. Mardi
Gras and Jazz Fest were held. The Convention Center opened in late June for its first
major national convention. The Superdome is scheduled to open in September. Despite
the hardships and obstacles, the vast majority of people we met were committed to seeing
New Orleans rebuilt better than it was before the hurricane. Living in New Orleans, one
of our interviewees said, is a choice, so those who have returned and the many more who
still seek to return want the rebuilding process to succeed.