Disaster Distress Helpline

1–800–985–5990

DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers:

To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the "ASL Now" button below or call1–800–985–5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.

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• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988  or chat 988lifeline.org.
• **Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration:** There’s no right or wrong way to feel. However, it’s important to find healthy ways to cope when these events happen. Find strategies to take care of yourself and your loved ones.
• **Inclusive Therapists:** Virtual directory of culturally competent and social justice-oriented therapists; includes list of therapists currently offering reduced-fee teletherapy
• Clinicians of Color Directory: Virtual directory of mental health clinicians with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds
• **Melanin & Mental Health Directory:** Virtual directory of culturally competent mental health clinicians for Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities
• **Experiences of Racism and Stress and Anxiety for Black Americans: A Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Coping Approach:** Coping strategies that may be beneficial in the face of experiences of racism; and recognizing broader responsibilities outside individuals to reduce racism
• **Coping with Racial Trauma:** Practical strategies for seeking support, engaging in self-care, gaining empowerment through resistance, and planning for recovery following experiences of racial trauma
• **Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters:** People can experience a wide range of emotions before and after a disaster or traumatic event. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. However, it’s important to find healthy ways to cope when these events happen.

Incidents of Mass Violence: Specific Information

• **Coping With Grief After Community Violence:** This SAMHSA tip sheet introduces some of the signs of grief and anger after an incident of community violence, provides useful information about to how to cope with grief, and offers tips for helping children deal with grief.
• **Disaster-Specific Resources: Mass Violence:** This SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series installment is a collection of resources focused on preparedness and response for specific types of disasters, including mass violence, riots, and trauma.
• **Incidents of Mass Violence:** The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline supports survivors, family members, responders, and recovery workers who are affected by incidents of mass violence and other disasters. Information on this web page includes a list of risk factors for distress, information on lockdown notices and other warnings, and additional resources for coping.
• **Effects of Traumatic Stress After Mass Violence, Terror, or Disaster:** This online article from the National Center for PTSD describes the emotional, cognitive, physical, and interpersonal reactions that disaster survivors may experience and discusses the potentially severe stress symptoms that may lead to lasting post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, or depression. The article also presents information on how survivors can reduce their risk of psychological difficulties and recover from disaster stress.

**Racial Trauma Guide:** Articles from the Engaging Minorities in Prevention Outreach Wellness Education & Research (EMPOWER) Lab on

coping with racial stressors and being an ally