In a disaster, it's essential that behavioral health responders have the resources they need—when and where they need them. The free SAMHSA Disaster App offers first responders’ immediate access for any type of traumatic event at every phase of response, including pre-deployment preparation, on-the-ground assistance and post-deployment resources.

App Features
 

With the SAMHSA Disaster App, first responders can:

• Access resources including tip sheets; guides for responders, teachers, parents, and caregivers; and a directory of behavioral health service providers in the impacted area.

• Download information on your phone before deployment in case of limited Internet connectivity in the field.

• Review key preparedness materials to help you provide the best support possible.

• Send information to colleagues and survivors via text message, email, or transfer to a computer for printing.

• Find interventions to help survivors of infectious disease epidemics.​

Find SAMHSA’s disaster response information as a publication. Download the SAMHSA Disaster Kit.

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Mental health - Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.

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Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and people from those states can apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at DisasterAssistance.gov. Food, water and other supplies are being flown to some areas made unreachable by the storm, and humanitarian groups have also entered the disaster zone to help.

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• The American Red Cross said it has been operating or supporting dozens of shelters in the region. The organization has also offered to help people reconnect with loved ones who were unaccounted for after the storm.

• Samaritan's Purse, the charity run by evangelist Franklin Graham, said it's been helping communities in the mountains of western North Carolina, home to the organization's international headquarters, as well as the surrounding area, including part of eastern Tennessee. The organization has also set up bases in other states.

• World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by chef José Andrés, said it was providing free meals throughout Florida and Georgia. The organization said Monday its teams had also reached the hard-hit city of Asheville, North Carolina, and was looking for the biggest areas of need in Tennessee.

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Reporting Damages:​

• https://damage-assessment-gema-soc.hub.arcgis.com/

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​FEMA Assistance Available for Survivors in 30 Additional Georgia Counties:

FEMA Assistance Available for Survivors in 30 Additional Georgia Counties | FEMA.gov

Georgia FEMA & Hurricane Helene: 4830 | FEMA.gov

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​GA Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Info & Links):

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Hurricane Helene | Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

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Individual Assistance | Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

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Hazard Mitigation | Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

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How you can help with disaster relief: Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Hurricane Helene: How you can help with storm assistance in Georgia (ajc.com)

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Red Cross responds to Hurricane Helene devastation. Help by making a donation, giving blood or becoming a volunteer:

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Red Cross Find Loved Ones After Hurricane Helene:
Reunification After Hurricane Helene | American Red Cross