The historic and catastrophic fires devastating Los Angeles are impacting hundreds of thousands of residents. Homes are destroyed, lives are lost, and communities are gone. This is a difficult time for many California families. If you or your loved ones are in need of mental health support, help is available.
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has resources, including their 24/7 Help Line. Their help line serves as the primary entry point for behavioral health resources including service referrals, crisis assessments, and substance use services. The line offers 12 different language options and can be reached at (800) 854-7771.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has trained crisis counselors available to provide free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting “988” or by chatting online at chat.988lifeline.org.
Crisis Text Line has trained volunteers available to provide free, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. They can be reached by texting “LA” to 741741.
The Disaster Distress Helpline offers crisis counseling for people in emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. They also offer local referrals and coping tips and can be reached by call or text at (800) 985-5990.
The CalHOPE Warmline has peer counselors available who have persevered through their own mental health challenges. Peers come from a place of understanding and provide compassionate support. They can be reached at (833) 317-4673.
CareTeamLA is a group of local residents leading an effort to provide free mental health services for those affected by wildfires. Their website is both a place where community members can fill out a form requesting support and where mental health professionals can fill out a form to volunteer their time.
In addition, independent mental health clinicians offering pro bono therapy services for those affected have created a spreadsheet listing their contact information and available services.