Hurricane Katrina and the need for changes in the federal funding of disaster mental health.

Recent findings showing chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health symptoms in individuals exposed to Hurricane Katrina cogently argues for changes in the federal funding of mental health following disasters. This commentary discusses the evidence for protracted high rates of mental health problems in both adults and children following Katrina. The limitations to current mental health funding legislation post-disaster are noted, and initial suggestions for additional disaster-related mental health funding programs are made.