When we experience a disaster, people react with increased anxiety, worry and anger. With community and family support, most of us bounce back. Some of us, however, may need extra assistance to cope with unfolding events and uncertainties. Everyone, even the people that others look up to for guidance and assistance, is entitled to their feelings and deserves support throughout the recovery process.
If you or someone in your care needs additional assistance recovering emotionally from the fires, please access the following free services:
California HOPE Program Provides Crisis Counselors
Sonoma County launched the California HOPE program to provide outreach and counseling to those emotionally impacted by the Sonoma Complex Fires in October 2017. California HOPE is a federally funded program that can send crisis counselors to meet people wherever they are (at home, school, business, etc.) to provide crisis counseling, resource navigation, and disaster recovery education.
California Hope is funded by the Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA) and is administered by the California State Mental Health Authority (CMHA) in conjunction with the Sonoma County Department of Health Services: Behavioral Health Division.
California HOPE counselors specialize in helping survivors understand their current reactions, reduce stress, receive emotional support, prioritize needs and solve problems, choose coping strategies, and connect with people and agencies who can help.
If you would like free assistance from this program, please contact them as follows:
Adults age 50 or older: (707) 608-8804
Santa Rosa: (707) 608-8805
North County: (707) 608-8807
Sonoma Valley: (707) 608-8806
South County: (707) 608-8806
West County: (707) 608-8807
Español: (707) 608-8825
Below are brochures on available California HOPE services and tips on building resilience:
Ten Ways to Build Resilience Spanish
Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24-7
If you are experiencing emotional distress, perhaps because of recent red flag warnings or smoke from fires outside Sonoma County, a national Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster.
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Spanish speakers can call 1-800-985-5990 and press "2" or text Hablanos to 66746
The deaf or hard of hearing can text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Use your preferred relay service to call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990
TTY 1-800-846-8517
Click HERE to learn more.
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