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Coping With Oil Spill Stress: Resources for Educators, Health Care Providers, and the Community
Residents throughout the Gulf Coast region continue to deal with the disruption and distress caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Responses to the financial and personal stress from this disaster are different for everyone. Recognizing the symptoms of stress and learning ways to cope with it are important steps in the recovery process.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched an outreach campaign to provide information, support, and counseling for families and children affected by the oil spill. Funded by BP’s contribution to SAMSHA, the campaign has set up a toll-free helpline for immediate assistance at regional crisis centers. A companion SMS helpline allows users to connect with these crisis centers by texting. This website provides additional resources for families, educators, and mental health / health care workers.
The Oil Spill Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) links callers to behavioral health care services and the nearest Gulf Coast crisis center, where trained staff from the region will provide assistance. Administered by SAMSHA, the helpline and crisis centers are managed in partnership with the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC) through its Link2Health Solutions division.
The Oil Spill Distress SMS Helpline offers texting services for users to communicate in real time with counselors at the nearest Gulf Coast area crisis centers in tandem with the telephone helpline.
The Oil Spill Distress website provides resources to help identify the signs of stress and ways to cope, and how to help others in the community – children, families, and individuals. The website is designed to provide easy access to these materials, whether you are an individual, parent, educator, or mental health/health care provider. It includes links to partner organizations where you will find additional resources. The website is managed in partnership with EDC, through the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention.
SAMHSA has also partnered with the Ad Council to promote awareness of the services available through the helplines and websites. The Ad Council is working with Clear Channel and Lamar to produce and distribute public service announcements for radio and other outlets. Additional outreach includes email and web banners.
