Regional counseling resources

Therapy & Psychological Counseling

BY STATE:

Alabama
- Alabama Department of Mental Health Hotline 1-800-367-0955. Dr. Richard Powers, medical director for the Alabama Department of Mental Health , says the department has established a toll-free help line for Katrina survivors needing any assistance. By calling 1-800-367-0955, survivors can be referred to a local community health center for assessment and treatment.
- Alabama Mental Health Resources 1-800-392-5658
- Website

Louisiana
- Department of Health & Hospitals Cope Line - Southeast Louisiana and Metro New Orleans (24/7): 1-800-749-2673
- Local phone: 225-342-9500
- Dept's emergency news and quick contacts for hurricane victims
- Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Mental Health 800-273-8255. Individuals and families who need help recovering from the trauma of Hurricane Katrina can get free counseling by calling any one of the following toll-free, helpline numbers: 1-800-273-8255 or 1-866-615-8700 or 1-888-622-6470. For Baton Rouge, the crisis line number is ( 225 ) 924-3900. All of the crisis lines operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a person calls one of the helplines, a crisis counseling representative will provide the needed assistance. Individuals are eligible for crisis counseling services if they were in the disaster area at the time of Hurricane Katrina. The crisis counseling program is funded by FEMA and administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Mental Health. Source

Mississippi
- Department of Mental Health Facilities and mental health services information
- Toll-free Help Line: 1-877-210-8513 Local phone: 601-359-1288
- Website

Texas Mental Health Resources
- Austin, Texas Hotline 512-324-2447. Fourteen members of the Indigent Care Collaboration, including Austin Travis County MHMR, the Austin/Travis County community clinics, People's, Georgetown Community Clinic and Round Rock Health Center, teamed up with Insure-a-Kid to set up a help line for Katrina adults and children who need primary care, include psychological. The number is 324-2447, and it is answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Source

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Federal Government's Dept of Health and Human Services Hotlinie 1-800-273-8255. HHS announced the availability of a toll-free hotline for people in crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. By dialing 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), callers will be connected to a network of local crisis centers across the country that are committed to crisis counseling. Callers to the hotline will receive counseling from trained staff at the closest certified crisis center in the network. Source

SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment(CSAT) Hotline 877-664-2248. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration CSAT has funded hotlines in Louisiana (1-877-664-2248 in state or 800-662-4357 out-of-state) for people with addictions, promising referrals to 12-step programs, treatment services, crisis-intervention teams, methadone maintenance, and other resources. Source

Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-TALK. The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is providing a suicide prevention hotline, available to anyone at 800-273-TALK. The agency is also staffing from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (ET) an emergency response center, providing behavioral health services for first responders, at 1-240-276-1200.

Fireman's Fund Insurance Company Customers & Agents Hotline 800-486-6380. Fireman's Fund Insurance offers free counseling to its New Orleans policyholders and agents needing trauma counseling, identity theft prevention and restoration and personalized assistance in coping with the practical, emotional and psychological effects of the hurricane. The services are free to current customers and Fireman's Fund agents in the parishes evacuated by civil authority. Call toll-free claims phone numbers (888-FIREHAT or 800-486-6380) and select Katrina Recovery Services; the caller will then be connected with counselors. Source

Local Crisis Counseling Wherever You Are. If you need crisis counseling, there are several resources. You can register at a local Red Cross chapter or shelter, which have trained mental heath workers available. Likewise, the Salvation Army has counselors at every mobile kitchen and canteen where it is serving food across the country, as well as outside every FEMA disaster relief center in Louisiana. Source