Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling

You may be eligible for 2 forms of assistance.

Forms of Assistance without Online Applications
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Disaster Assistance for Older Americans
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Program Description
The Administration on Aging (AoA) offers a website that provides a comprehensive overview of a wide variety of topics, programs and services related to aging. The AoA website provides a Disaster Preparedness Manual for the Aging Network, which provides valuable safety information in time of a disaster.
General Program Requirements
The Disaster Preparedness Manual for the Aging Network is targeted to older Americans and is available to the public.  Whether you are an older individual, a caregiver, a community service provider, a researcher, or a student, you will find valuable user-friendly information.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
Please visit the Disaster Assistance for Older Americans website at the following location for further information:http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Preparedness/index.aspx
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.hhs.gov/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Relief Information
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Program Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has programs for people affected by mental health and substance abuse problems. The SAMSHA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) supports SAMHSA’s efforts to help states, territories, Federally recognized Tribes and local communities deliver an effective mental health and substance abuse response after a disaster. The DTAC:

  • Develops disaster mental health and substance abuse resource collections and publications
  • Answers questions regarding disaster mental health and substance abuse response
  • Provides guidance to state and local disaster mental health and substance abuse response programs.
SAMHSA DTAC also supports the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) and provides information on the SAMSHA Emergency Response Grant (SERG) program. The CCP and SERG programs are designed to assist people and areas recovering from the results of natural and human-caused disasters. Disaster survivors can contact SAMSHA DTAC to find out what CCP or SERG program services might be offered in their state after a disaster is declared. Most services are provided through the CCP but the SERG program exists to help fund services when no other funding is available.

Services that may be available after a disaster include:
  • Individual Crisis Counseling—Helps survivors understand their reactions, coping strategies, their options, and how to connect with other people and agencies that may assist them
  • Basic Supportive or Educational Contact—Services available to disaster survivors include general support, and information on resources and services
  • Group Crisis Counseling—Group sessions led by trained crisis counselors help group members cope with situations and reactions
  • Public Education—Information and training for reactions, coping strategies, and other disaster resources
  • Community Networking and Support—Connects survivors with community resources, faith-based groups, or local agencies
  • Assessment, Referral, and Resource Linkage—Provides adult and children access to needs assessment, or referral to additional disaster relief services or mental health or substance abuse treatment
  • Development and Distribution of Educational Materials—Provides materials developed and distributed by CCP staff, including flyers, brochures, tip sheets, educational materials; and website information
  • Media and Public Service Announcements—Provides media activities and public messaging working with local media, state and local governments, charitable organizations, and other community sources of information; and
  • The SERG program also funds traditional mental health and substance abuse treatment.
General Program Requirements
The SAMHSA website provides documents and resources for any person with or at risk for mental health and substance abuse disorders.
Application Process
Disaster survivors do not need to submit an application form to receive assistance. To find out what services might be offered in your state after a disaster, please call the SAMHSA DTAC toll-free number at 1-800-308-3515 or e-mail SAMHSA DTAC at DTAC@samhsa.hhs.gov.
Program Contact Information
Please visit the SAMHSA DTAC and disaster response websites at the following locations for further information on disaster substance abuse and mental health services:
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/dtac/

andhttp://www.samhsa.gov/Disaster/indexMH.aspx
Please visit the FEMA website at the following location for further information on CCP services:http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/additional.shtm
Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.hhs.gov/
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