Hurricane Helene Disaster Resources and Mental Health Support
Public Health Emergency Determination
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Resources for Resilience Listening Circles
Opportunities for Learning and Connection After Hurricane Helene
Resources for Resilience is providing free daily Listening Circles for all Western North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene.
These Listening Circles are an opportunity for community members to connect, lean on one another, and highlight what is getting them through this difficult time.
Rumors and misleading information can spread quickly after any disaster. Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we have seen many rumors that have the potential to seriously hamper storm response efforts or prevent people from getting assistance quickly.
Help keep yourself, your family and your community safe by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources. You can get official information on Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
Do your part to stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things:
- Find trusted sources of information.
- Share information from trusted sources.
- Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call, text or chat 988 for 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health related distress. That could be thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
- Peer Warmline: The statewide Peer Warmline staffed by Peer Support Specialists who offer non-clinical support and resources to those in crisis. Call 1-855-PEERS NC (1-855-733-7762) 24/7
- Disaster Distress Helpline: Is available 24/7 and provides immediate services to anyone who may need crisis counseling after experiencing a natural or man-made disaster or tragedy. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service will provide confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
- Help for Helpers Hope4NC: Hope4NC Helpline | NCDHHS or by phone 1-855-587-3463 to provide mental health support for first responders and volunteers working on our Hurricane Helene disaster response
Mental Health Resources:
- Support for First Responders: If you are a first responder or volunteer experiencing stress, emotional fatigue, a mental health crisis or just need someone to talk to, you can call the Hope4NC Helpline, 1-855-587-3463. Hope4NC is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
- Support in Shelters: LME/MCOs are providing mental health clinicians in shelters and each shelter has access to naloxone.
- Opioid Treatment Programs: All 27 Opioid Treatment Programs in the region are open, and individuals can receive their treatment doses at any location using "guest dosing.
Finding Friends and Family after Hurricane Helene
American Red Cross
LME/MCO Crisis Lines:
- Alliance Behavioral Healthcare Crisis Line: 877-223-4617
Counties Served: Cumberland, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Mecklenburg, Orange, Wake
- Partners Health Management Crisis Line: 833-353-2093
Counties Served: Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union, Yadkin
- Trillium Health Resources Crisis Line: 888-302-0738
Counties Served: Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilson
- Vaya Health Crisis Line: 800-849-6127
Counties Served: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Caswell, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Franklin, Graham, Granville, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Person, Polk, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Swain, Transylvania, Vance, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey
State of North Carolina: (for the latest updates and information)
Helping Veterans and VA Employees
Updates and Resources Page - This page is dedicated to disseminating critical updates concerning the emergency response to Hurricane Helene, specifically aimed at local veterans who may be at risk, as well as the staff involved in the response efforts.
FEMA Information:
FEMA has begun to take applications for the Individual Assistance Program. There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App, or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows North Carolinians access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.
What You’ll Need When You Apply:
- A current phone number where you can be contacted.
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
- Your Social Security number.
- A general list of damage and losses.
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance:
If your employment has been lost or interrupted because of a federally declared disaster, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
DUA is a federal program that provides temporary payments for people who, as a direct result of a disaster:
- No longer have the job that provided their primary source of income.
- Are unable to reach their place of employment.
- Cannot work because of an injury caused by the storm.
- Were unable to begin employment or self-employment due to the storm. Have become the major supplier of household income due to a storm-related death of the previous major supplier of household income.
Click here to read more.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Raising the standard o care and improving access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the US.
Click here to read more.
NC Department of Health and Human Services:
Temporary Flexibilities in Place for Medicaid Beneficiaries
Click here.
For Communities Who Are Preparing:
Ready.gov – recommendations for an emergency supply kit and evacuation considerations
Ready Kids – ideas for talking to children and involving them in family disaster preparedness
Help Kids Cope – mobile app with scripts and ideas to support children before, during, and after natural disasters
Hurricane Response Resources:
Here for Each Other: Family Guide (from Sesame Street)
Resources on Traumatic Grief:
Resources on Tornadoes:
Psychological First Aid:
The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training (En Español) course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include:
For community and mental health providers who plan to continue working with affected communities long-term, review Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR; En Español) and take the SPR Online course (En Español).
Mobile Apps:
Additional Resources from our Partners:
Disaster Helpline:
SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.
The US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA): (resources to help veterans in the event of a disaster)
Disaster relief hotline: Call 800-507-4571
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255
Veteran benefits administration hotline: Call 800-827-1000
Pharmacy customer care number: Call 866-400-1243
Vet center counseling hotline: Call 877-927-8387
Additional Resources:
For those that are needing technical assistance or additional resources, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Melissa Brymer
at [email protected].
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