Mental health after a disaster

Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, any time, for free support after a disaster. If you're in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988.

Updated Oct. 10, 2026 · Sources linked throughout

In danger or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

Call or text 1-800-985-5990, any time. SAMHSA says it's free, multilingual and open 24/7 to everyone in the U.S. and its territories feeling emotional distress after a disaster.
Español: llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 1-800-985-5990 y presione 2.
Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can text or call using their preferred relay provider. Standard text rates apply. (SAMHSA: Disaster Distress Helpline)

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call, text or chat 988, 24/7. Conversations are free and confidential, and it's for anyone facing emotional distress, mental health struggles or substance use concerns, or who just needs to talk. Text and chat are available in Spanish. (988 Lifeline)

What's normal after a disaster

Trouble sleeping, worry, irritability, sadness and feeling numb are common after a disaster. Lean on friends, family and community groups, and take care of your own needs; Ready.gov notes that children often cope the way the adults around them do. (Ready.gov: Coping with Disaster) If feelings get in the way of daily life or don't ease over weeks, talk to a doctor or counselor.

Helping kids cope

Listen, ask how they feel, and answer questions with the amount of information they need.
Limit news and social media coverage of the disaster, and be around to talk when they see it.
Make time to talk and play, and keep to a routine; get them back to school, sports and play groups when those reopen.
Watch more closely if a child was evacuated, saw injuries, lost someone, or is dealing with temporary housing or a parent's job loss. Ready.gov lists these as risk factors for longer-lasting distress. (Ready.gov: Helping Children Cope)

FEMA Crisis Counseling Program

After a major disaster declaration with Individual Assistance, FEMA funds the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP), administered with SAMHSA. It supports community outreach, crisis counseling, public education and referrals for survivors. To learn whether a program is active near you, ask 211 or email [email protected]. (SAMHSA: Crisis Counseling Program)

Every program and phone number on this page was checked against the official agency page linked next to it on Oct. 10, 2026. Programs depend on disaster declarations and can change; confirm on the official page before you act.

Common questions

What is the Disaster Distress Helpline number?

Call or text 1-800-985-5990. SAMHSA says it's free, multilingual and available 24/7 to anyone in the U.S. and its territories feeling distress after a disaster. For Spanish, press 2.

Is 988 only for suicidal thoughts?

No. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline says it's for mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug concerns, or just needing someone to talk to. Call, text or chat, 24/7, free and confidential.

How can I help my kids after a disaster?

Ready.gov suggests listening and answering their questions, limiting news coverage, spending time together and getting back to routines like school and play as soon as you can.

Is there free crisis counseling in my community?

After some declared disasters, FEMA funds a Crisis Counseling Program run with SAMHSA that offers community outreach and counseling. Ask 211 or your state, or email [email protected] to learn if one is active in your area.