Los Angeles Wildfires
Mental Health Resources
Mental health resources are critical to support individual and community recovery in the aftermath of a disaster. The following resources are currently available for people affected by the Los Angeles fires.
If you’re interested in taking a deeper dive into how you can best support others during a crisis, International Medical Corps has developed a free online course on the basics of psychological first aid.
Find them here.
Mental Wellness Apps
National Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or text (800) 985-5990. Counselors are available 24/7 to respond to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a traumatic event or a disaster. Counselors are trained to offer support to people who may be experiencing a range of symptoms. Support is available and provided in multiple languages.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is providing a comprehensive list of crisis resources, including peer-run warm lines, homeless social services support, guides for supporting mental health and managing stress after an emergency, grief support and counseling and more. Additional resources are available at namiwla.org. For immediate support, call (310) 889-7200.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has put together a toolkit of resources and guides to help parents and caregivers talk with and support children affected by the LA wildfires. Additional resources are available at nctsn.org.
Red Cross
The Red Cross provides online Guides for Taking Care of Your Emotional Health in nine languages. You also can find them at RedCross.org by searching “recovering emotionally.”
Los Angeles County ACCESS Center
The Los Angeles County ACCESS Center, part of the LA County Department of Mental Health’s Help Line, can be reached at 1-800-854-7771. The helpline, which operates 24 hours/day and seven days/week, is the entry point for mental health services in Los Angeles County. Services include deployment of crisis evaluation teams, information and referrals, gatekeeping of acute inpatient psychiatric beds, interpreter services and client transport. The Hotline enables disaster victims to receive, over the telephone, screening, assessment, referral and crisis counseling services. During county emergencies, ACCESS also functions as a disaster response line that provides crisis-related support and services to impacted residents and communities.
LA Department of Mental Health
The LA Department of Mental Health also has a list of mental health resources specifically to help those affected by the wildfires, including parent guidelines for supporting children after a fire, tips for caregivers and teachers, support for coping, educational resources on the mental health impact of wildfires, and numerous helplines. Additional resources are available at dmh.lacounty.gov.
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles Unified School District students and families in need of mental health support can call the Student and Family Wellness Resource Line at (213) 241-3840. Support is currently available between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line is available at any time by texting HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support./p>
California Hope Warmline
California Hope Warmline, funded by FEMA and run by the CA Department of Healthcare Services, offers crisis counseling for disaster survivors, and has specific mental health services for wildfire survivors. Call (833) 317-4673 (English) or (833) 642-7696 (Spanish), or visit CalHope.org for free, confidential emotional support.
The Wellness Center at LAC + USC
The Wellness Center at LAC + USC provides low-cost mental health and wellness services. For more information on the programs and services, call 213-784-9191 or visit thewellnesscenterla.org.
The Jewish Federation
The Jewish Federation maintains a resource list of mental health services. Additional information is available at jewishla.org.