LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health encourages Nebraskans affected by the wildfires to seek emotional support at relief centers near areas affected by the wildfires.
“Wildfires across the state have caused many Nebraskans to experience hardship and trauma,” said Dr. Thomas Janousek, Director of DBH. “It is through our strong partnerships with our communities and providers that we can offer these resources. We encourage our first responders and all who are battling these wildfires to take advantage of these services. Asking for help is a sign of strength and empowers communities to be more resilient, unite, and recover together.”
For immediate assistance, talk to a trained crisis professional over the phone:
988 offers access to mental health and substance use crisis response, suicide prevention response, crisis de-escalation, and connection to local and treatment resources. Dial 988, text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org .Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for 24/7 disaster crisis counseling. Toll-free, multilingual crisis support services are available to all experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Crisis Counseling options are available through the following providers:
Heartland Counseling & Consulting Clinic (Tele-counseling and in-person options)Call 308-534-0440Serving Ogallala, Gothenburg, Lexington, Brady, McCook, and North Platte.On-site resources will be available:Friday, March 20: Brady Community Center9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST121 N Main Street, Brady, NEMonday, March 23: First United Methodist Church of Gothenburg9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST1401 Lake Avenue, Gothenburg, NETuesday, March 24: Ogallala NACO Building9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST102 Diamond Springs Trail, Ogallala, NEHuman Services Inc. (Tele-counseling)Karuna Counseling (Tele-counseling)Richard Young (Tele-counseling)Additional Same-Day Access Behavioral Health Services can be found at dhhs.ne.gov/sameday
Community event:
Tuesday, March 24: Coffee Chat – “Stronger Together: Community Chat”9 a.m. – 11a.m. MTOshkosh Methodist Church411 West 3rd St Oshkosh, NE 69154This event will provide space for community members to connect, share experiences, and receive behavioral health support.
Resources will continue to be established in communities, relief centers and staging areas as needed. Please see updates from local Emergency Managers and Disaster Coordinators for additional information.
DBH also encourages community members to recognize signs and symptoms of emotional distress. Feelings such as overwhelming anxiety, constant worry and trouble sleeping can be a common response to wildfires. Other signs of emotional distress can include:
Having persistent thoughts, memories, and nightmares related to the wildfires,Constant worry, orFeelings of unexplained guilt.
Emotional distress after an event can linger for days, weeks, months, or beyond. Individuals can experience a wide range of emotions before, during, and long after a disaster. Resources can be accessed when needed now and in the future.
More information about behavioral health services in Nebraska: dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Behavioral-Health.aspx
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