Phone: 800-985-5990<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66746<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you or someone you know is struggling after a disaster, you are not alone.
\nTalk With Us!
\n\u201cThings haven\u2019t been the same since my shop was flooded …\u201d
\n\u201cEver since the tornado, I haven\u2019t been able to get a full night\u2019s sleep …\u201d \u201cI can\u2019t get the sounds of the gunshots out of my mind…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round \u2022 Free (standard data\/text messaging rates may apply for the texting service) \u2022 Answered by trained crisis counselors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Helpline and Text Service are:
\nTTY for Deaf \/ Hard of Hearing: 1-800-846-8517
\nSpanish-speakers: Text \u201cHablanos\u201d to 6674<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Call us: 1-800-985-5990
\nText: \u2018TalkWithUs\u2019 to 66746
\nVisit: disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
\nLike us on Facebook: facebook.com\/ distresshelpline
\nFollow us on Twitter (@distressline): twitter.com\/distressline<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some are more at risk than others:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Survivors living or working in the impacted areas (youth & adults)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Loved ones of victims<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 First Responders, Rescue & Recovery Workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Warning signs of distress may include: \u2022 Sleeping too much or too little
\n\u2022 Stomachaches or headaches<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Anger, feeling edgy or lashing out at others<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Overwhelming sadness<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Feeling like you have to keep busy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Lack of energy or always feeling tired<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Drinking alcohol, smoking or using tobacco more than usual; using illegal drugs<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Eating too much or too little<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Not connecting with others<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Feeling like you won\u2019t ever be happy again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take care of yourself.<\/strong> Try to eat healthy, avoid using alcohol and drugs, and get some exercise when you can- even a walk around the block can make a difference. \u2022 Only go to bed when you are ready to sleep<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Don\u2019t watch TV or use your cell phone or laptop computer while you\u2019re in bed<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Avoid eating (especially sugar) or drinking caffeine or alcohol at least one hour before going to bed<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 If you wake up and can\u2019t fall back to sleep, try writing in a journal or on a sheet of paper what\u2019s on your mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take care of pets or get outside into nature when it\u2019s safe.<\/strong> Nature and animals can help us to feel better when we are down. See if you can volunteer at a local animal shelter- they may need help after a disaster. Once it\u2019s safe to return to public parks or natural areas, find a quiet spot to sit in or go for a hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Know when to ask for help.<\/strong> Signs of stress can be normal, short-term reactions to any of life\u2019s unexpected events- not only after surviving a disaster, but also after a death in the family, the loss of a job, or a breakup. It\u2019s important to pay attention to what\u2019s going on with you or with someone you care about, because what may seem like \u201ceveryday stress\u201d can actually be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Depression (including having thoughts of suicide)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Anxiety<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Alcohol or Drug Abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you or someone you know may be depressed, suffering from overwhelming feelings of anxiety, or possibly abusing alcohol or drugs … Call 1-800-985-5990 or text \u2018TalkWithUs\u2019 to 66746. You Are Not Alone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nReach out to friends and family.<\/strong> Talk to someone you trust about how you are doing.
\nTalk to your children.<\/strong> They may feel scared, angry, sad, worried, and confused. Let them know it\u2019s okay to talk about what\u2019s on their mind. Limit their watching of TV news reports about the disaster. Help children and teens maintain normal routines to the extent possible. Role model healthy coping.
\nGet enough \u2018good\u2019 sleep.<\/strong> Some people have trouble falling asleep after a disaster, others keep waking up during the night. If you have trouble sleeping:<\/p>\n\n\n\n