Seven months later, there's still a huge need in Puerto Rico.
- USF team visited Puerto Rico to help with recovery efforts
- Puerto Rico still in need after seven months
- USF team put on health fair for residents
“I was expecting it to be kind of back to normal but that’s not what we saw. We saw some areas that still didn’t have electricity or water,” said USF College of Nursing assistant professor Dr. Jessica Gordon.
A small team of faculty and students from the USF College of Nursing was on the island this weekend helping with ongoing recovery efforts.
"I think it's a variety of emotions. Fulfilling, rewarding, to be able to contribute to that love and that recovery and that healing," Gordon said.
The group worked with a local organization on the island to put on a health fair for the residents.
Gordon said a big focus was dealing with mental health. Out of 100 patients, about 25 percent showed signs of depression.
"They wouldn’t openly say that they’re grieving or depressed, that type of thing, but as you started talking, tell me about your story, how are you doing with your mental health, we did experience some suicidal ideation,” she said.
Those people were prescribed medication and referred to psychological services.
Beating hunger was also a big focus. Gordon said the team didn't see any food being distributed to the residents.
"Like even if they were reaching out to their local officials, they weren’t receiving what they needed," she said.
It was a quick weekend trip, but impactful for both residents and the team.
"I think it was very fulfilling. I think on the verge of like, tears, almost, to say this is my homeland, you know, this is where I was born."