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Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series Resource Center
The SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) provides various resources and useful information for those in the disaster behavioral health field.
All resources for which links are provided are in the public domain or have been authorized for noncommercial use. Hardcopies of some materials may be ordered. If you use content from resources in this collection in program materials, you should acknowledge the source of the materials.
Did you know you can download your search results? Simply apply search filters and then click on the Download Filtered Resources link to obtain a .csv file with the resources you have found, including each resource’s name, description, date, URL, and source.
Developed during the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in 2023, this toolkit provides resources to help various audiences cope with the impacts of experiencing or learning information about international conflicts, mass violence and terrorism, crises, trauma, hate crimes, and other violence motivated by prejudice, particularly in light of events in 2023 and 2024 giving rise to Islamophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of discrimination.
This tip sheet describes some of the challenges involved in disaster response work and how these challenges may make responders more vulnerable to substance misuse. It lists signs of substance misuse, suggests ways to address substance misuse issues in yourself or someone you care about, and identifies resources for additional support.
This tip sheet notes the importance of developing stress management skills before responding to a disaster, as well as using these skills in coping with the stress often involved in disaster response. It suggests steps to take before, during, and after deployment; identifies signs of stress; and lists sources of additional support.
This tip sheet describes aspects of the transition families go through when a member returns home after a disaster deployment. It also suggests ways that family members can navigate the transition and support the responder in coping with the return home.
This tip sheet offers reactions people commonly have to disasters and other traumatic events in several different domains. It provides tips for coping and indicates signs of the need for help with managing post-disaster stress.
This tip sheet describes aspects of the transition families go through when a member returns home after a disaster deployment. It also suggests ways that family members other than the responder can navigate the transition and support the responder in coping with the return home.
The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24-hour helpline staffed by trained counselors. The helpline can be used by any person, including a responder, who is experiencing emotional distress due to a disaster. Responders may also want to make disaster survivors aware of this resource.
This web page explores behavioral health equity and its importance in reducing health disparities and promoting the provision of high-quality healthcare services for all. It features several populations of focus, including American Indians/Alaska Natives, Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and more, to emphasize the need for equitable and accessible health care.
Through this center, SAMHSA provides training and technical assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, tribal SAMHSA grantees, and individuals and organizations who work with AI/AN people. Topics include mental health promotion, suicide prevention, and mental and substance use disorders. The center’s website provides information and links to print materials, websites, and webinars.
To support caregivers or others tending to children, this web page from SAMHSA explains the effects of traumatic events—such as natural disasters or community violence—on children. It provides a breakdown of possible reactions shown by children of different ages as well as tips for supporting children who have experienced traumatic stress.
This web page presents resources from SAMHSA and other organizations related to mental health and substance use in people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or part of other sexual orientation and gender identity minority populations. The web page identifies SAMHSA programs and initiatives, SAMHSA resources, and other federal resources.
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant provides funds and technical assistance to all 50 states, as well as a wide range of U.S. territories and a tribal entity. Grantees use the funds to plan, implement, and evaluate activities that prevent and treat substance use and promote public health. Although the program is noncompetitive, it runs on a 1-year term, and eligible entities must submit an application annually.
This web page provides definitions of serious mental illness (SMI), serious emotional disturbance (SED), and substance use disorders. It also features links to additional information about mental illness, SMI, SED, and substance use disorders in the United States.
This web page offers a collection of free, downloadable resources for adolescents and young adults focusing on substance misuse, coping with disasters, and other traumatic events. The highlighted resources are listed by age groups including middle school youth, high school youth, and college students.
This SAMHSA-developed guide provides insights and recommendations for disaster responders and first responders, assisting them in effectively handling stress in crisis response situations. It outlines the physiological impact of stress and offers suggestions for both individuals and organizations to encourage and participate in stress management practices.
This web page lists information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, provides a 988 partner toolkit, and includes data on suicide and prevention resources. It also features links to partner organizations and funding resources.
This website provides information on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, which it describes as "an approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment to people with substance use disorders and those at risk of developing these disorders."
The Disaster Distress Helpline is the nation’s first helpline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling. The toll-free helpline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service is available via telephone or text message (1–800–985–5990) to U.S. residents who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of a natural or human-caused disaster.
Through this center, SAMHSA provides training and technical assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, tribal SAMHSA grantees, and individuals and organizations who work with AI/AN people.
Provided by the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline, this web page gives an overview of the effects droughts may have. It lists the signs of emotional distress related to drought and who may be most at risk of experiencing them. Lastly, it provides resources and information on where to get help.
This site provides information about what to expect in a hurricane and signs of emotional distress. It also explains how to reach the Disaster Distress Helpline (call or text 800-985-5990) for immediate crisis counseling.
This part of the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline website describes tornadoes and discusses the signs of emotional distress that people may experience after a tornado or severe storm. It identifies populations at greater risk for emotional distress after a tornado and sources of information and support for individuals in disaster-related distress.
This SAMHSA wallet card highlights warning signs of psychological stress that individuals may experience following a disaster. It also provides contact information for individuals to call (1-800-985-5990) or text ("TalkWithUs" to 66746) the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline for support. Response workers can provide it to survivors who they think may benefit from additional support in coping with a disaster.
Part of SAMHSA’s Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) series, this handbook provides programs that treat people with mental and substance use disorders with information and tools for disaster planning.
Part of SAMHSA’s Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) series, this handbook provides programs that treat people with mental and substance use disorders with information and tools for disaster planning.