National Disaster Distress Helpline Provides Immediate Crisis Counseling

Disaster Distress Helpline provides crisis counseling

Disaster Distress Helpline: People affected by natural disasters

Protect your mental health during the storm

Will the power go out? How long will the food and water last? How bad is it going to get?

Hurricane season is here, and Tampa Bay residents may find themselves asking these questions over and over again during the six-month season — especially when it peaks in August through October. While the region hasn’t suffered a direct hit since the 1921 Tampa Bay hurricane, residents never know what the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic has in store for them.

Experts say the threat of flooding and property damage — on top of COVID-19 — can create significant stress, particularly for those with a history of anxiety and depression.

But just like you can get your home ready for a storm, you can also take steps to protect your mental health.

The Disaster Distress Helpline is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Counselors are available 24/7 to respond to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a traumatic event or a disaster. Counselors are trained to offer support to people who may be experiencing a range of symptoms.

“People who have been through a traumatic event can experience anxiety, worry, or insomnia,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “People seeking emotional help in the wake of disaster or tragedy can call or text 1-800-985-5990 and begin the healing process.”

The Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the nearest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff provides confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services. Spanish speakers can press “2” for bilingual support.

What is the Disaster Distress Helpline

Callers can also connect with counselors in more than 100 other languages via third-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor. A videophone option with direct crisis counseling and support for deaf or hard-of-hearing American Sign Language users is also available.

Disaster survivors and responders can connect with trained DDH crisis workers fluent in ASL by dialing 1-800-985-5990 from a videophone-enabled device or via an “ASL Now” link accessible at DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov. More on the Helpline can be found at https://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/.

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