SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
Free support any time for people shaken by a disaster like a storm, fire, or flood — whether it happened recently or a while ago.
Good to know
Counselors listen and connect you to local help, and you don't have to give your name. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Before you call
They may ask
- nothing to identify you is needed; at the end the counselor may ask a few basic questions, and they are optional
They can
- listen, any hour of the day, by call or text on 1-800-985-5990, if you are in distress about a disaster: yourself, someone else, or someone you are helping
- give you information on how to recognise distress and its effects, and healthy coping tips
- refer you to local crisis call centers for follow-up care and support
- connect you to a live interpreter in over 100 languages; Spanish speakers press 2; deaf and hard of hearing callers can use their preferred relay provider
They cannot
- text for free: standard text and data message rates apply
- stand in for 988 or 911: the site's banner says to call or text 988 in a crisis; call 911 if anyone is in danger now
For less common languages, the counselor may ask you to call back at an appointed time.
In the emergency guides: A flood, fire or storm hit my home →
- Phone
- 1-800-985-5990
- Text
- Text 1-800-985-5990
- Website
- https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/disaster-distress-helpline
- Hours
- 24/7
- Coverage
- Nationwide (U.S.)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Last checked
- September 6, 2026
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Shared by FindAngel.org — free, always · https://findangel.org/resources/disaster-distress-helpline/