Center provides 24-hour distress hotline for disaster victims
(KRIV) - Disasters can without a doubt push your mental and emotional health to the limit.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a 24-hour Disaster Distress Helpline for immediate crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional stress related to a natural disaster.
The toll-free number is 1-800-985-5990. You can also text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Available 365 days a year, the line is confidential and multilingual.
SAMHSA officials say depression-like symptoms, anxiety and stress are all common reactions to disasters. They say signs of emotional distress related to floods include:
Those at risk for emotional distress include flood survivors, friends and family outside the impact anxious about loved ones affected, and first responders or recovery workers.
Counselors provide a path to recovery by giving tips for healthy coping, connecting callers with local disaster-related resources, and referring callers to local centers for additional follow-up care.
For more information, visit the SAMHSA flood-related emotional distress information page here.