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Program Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. It helps prepare states and communities to provide an effective response after a disaster.

If you or someone you know needs help right now, please use the resources below to find help:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 – If you’re in a suicidal or emotional crisis, please call this 24-hour hotline to reach a crisis center. You may also use the online Lifeline Chat.
  • Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 – If you’re feeling emotional distress related to a disaster, call or text to talk with a trained counselor. You can get support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY 1-800-487-4889 – Get help for mental and substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery. This is a free, 24-hour, confidential treatment referral and information service. (English & Spanish)
  • FindTreatment.gov - Find substance use treatment for yourself or others. Learn about types of treatment, payment options, and treatment locations.
  • Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator – Find alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health treatment services around the country.

You can also visit SAMHSA’s Find Treatment page for other crisis help and treatment locations.

Below is a list of some of SAMHSA’s Disaster Behavioral Health services.

Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP)

The CCP is a grant program for mental health authorities funded by FEMA and administered by SAMHSA.

The program can offer you and your community help to aid in recovery from the effects of disasters. It does this through community-based outreach and educational services.

SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (SAMHSA DTAC)

The SAMHSA DTAC helps prepare approved entities to deliver an effective mental health and substance abuse response to disasters. These include the following:

  • States
  • Territories
  • Federally recognized tribes
  • Other local entities

Services offered include:

  • Technical assistance, training, and consultation
  • Disaster behavioral health resources
  • Information exchange and knowledge brokering
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (SAMHSA DDH)

The SAMHSA DDH is a national hotline that offers year-round disaster crisis counseling. If you feel distressed after a disaster, and live in the U.S. or its territories, you can use this service. It’s toll-free, multilingual, crisis support, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

  • You can call or text to connect to trained counselors at the closest crisis counseling center.
  • Helpline staff provides counseling and support, and can help you learn how to cope with common stress reactions. They can also provide referrals to local resources for follow-up care.
  • You can learn more by visiting the SAMHSA website.

General Program Requirements

SAMHSA's website offers free information and resources to anyone who is in crisis, or with or at risk for substance abuse and mental health problems. There’s also information for families, caregivers, and service providers.

If you need help right away, the site offers several crisis lines you can call to find treatment.

The CCP requires a presidential disaster declaration before states, territories, and federally recognized tribes may apply.

SAMHSA DTAC offers free services and materials to support disaster behavioral health professionals and other first responders. Many of the resources are available to everyone on the DTAC site.

The SAMHSA Disaster App is also free and is available to disaster responders on iPhone and Android devices.

Application Process

For states, territories, tribes, and other local entities, please use the CCP and SAMHSA DTAC contacts listed under the Program Contact section to learn more.

Last Updated: 08/18/2023