As a psychologist, you can play a critical role in supporting communities affected by the ongoing disaster caused by Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina.

The storm has severely impacted 25 counties, particularly in the western part of the state, prompting federal aid and widespread rescue and recovery operations. Here's how you can help:

1. Provide Mental Health Support: Many affected individuals will experience trauma, stress, and anxiety due to the devastation. You can offer counseling, psychological first aid, or stress management techniques to help people cope. Virtual or in-person sessions for victims, including children and families, can be especially helpful.
2. Support First Responders: Rescue teams, emergency workers, and volunteers may also face mental health challenges. Offering them debriefing sessions and strategies for managing burnout and trauma could make a significant difference in maintaining their well-being during prolonged recovery efforts.
3. Community Outreach: Partner with local organizations, schools, and shelters to provide psychoeducation about coping strategies and resilience. You could also contribute by setting up support groups for those struggling with loss, displacement, or fear of future storms.
4. Consultation and Training: Train other professionals and community members on how to recognize signs of mental health distress and provide basic emotional support. This would be valuable in helping to expand the reach of psychological aid during the recovery phase.

The federal disaster declaration highlights that this will be a long-term recovery effort, so ongoing support will be needed in the weeks and months ahead

Psychological First Aid (PFA) Field Operations Guide: 2nd Edition (for providers)

https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-field-operations-guide-2nd-edition

To offer your mental health services in response to the disaster in North Carolina, you can contact the following agencies and organizations:

1. North Carolina Division of Emergency Management:
   • They coordinate disaster response efforts, including mental health services. You can offer your expertise as a mental health professional to assist in recovery operations.
   • Contact NC Emergency Management or call (919) 825-2500.
2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
   • FEMA provides disaster assistance, including mental health crisis counseling programs in affected regions. Partnering with them can enable you to offer psychological support to individuals and communities.
   • Contact FEMA through their helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
3. American Red Cross, North Carolina Region:
   • The Red Cross often coordinates mental health volunteers to help during disasters. Reach out to their disaster relief services to offer your skills.
   • American Red Cross North Carolina or call (919) 231-1602.
4. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS):
   • NC DHHS supports public health and welfare during disasters. They often seek mental health professionals to address trauma and emotional well-being during recovery.
   • Contact NC DHHS or call 1-800-662-7030.
5. Local County Emergency Management and Health Departments:
   • Many counties affected by the storm, such as Buncombe, Gaston, and Haywood, will have local emergency management teams coordinating relief efforts, including mental health services. You can directly contact their health departments or emergency management offices.

By reaching out to these agencies, you can provide vital mental health support and help alleviate the psychological toll of the disaster on survivors and first responder

Resources for those in need:

Disaster Distress Helpline

En Español

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

  Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.

 Connect with a Trained Counselor

  Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: offers help 24/7 for people in crisis, and for those worried about a loved one. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for English or 988lifeline.org/es for Spanish.

• 988 partners:
  • The Trevor Project: support for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults: call 866-488-7386, text 678678 or visit org/get-help
  • Veteran’s Crisis Line: call 988 and press 1, text 838255 or visit net.

Standard text and data message rates will apply when texting from mobile phones. International text and data rates may apply from within U.S. territories and free association nations. SAMHSA will not sell your phone numbers to other parties.