Immediate Counseling Available to People Affected by the Bridge Collapse in Baltimore – Conduit Street

Immediate Counseling Available to People Affected by the Bridge Collapse in Baltimore

Post author:Shantelle Malcolm-Lym
Post published:March 26, 2024
Post category:County News / Feature / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use / Public Information and Ethics

Anyone affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, can receive immediate counseling through the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

“People who have been through a traumatic event can experience anxiety, worry or insomnia,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “People seeking emotional help in the wake of disaster or tragedy can call or text 1-800-985-5990 and begin the healing process.”

The Disaster Distress Helpline is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Counselors are available 24/7 to respond to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a traumatic event or a disaster. Counselors are trained to offer support to people who may be experiencing a range of symptoms.

Disaster survivors and responders can connect with trained DDH crisis workers fluent in ASL by dialing 1-800-985-5990 from a videophone-enabled device or via an “ASL Now” link accessible at DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov. More on the Helpline can be found at https://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/.

County leaders are encouraged to share this information through all possible channels.

Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov