A List to Share

A ring of hands holding on to one another. With a quote about community emotional support

So much time and energy of the fire victims will be spent finding support to get their lives back on track. Often this means that self-care falls by the wayside. Here is a list of agencies and organizations that provide emotional support for those affected by the recent fires in the Los Angeles community. As you help friends or family navigate through recovery, maybe the best service you can be is to keep an eye out on their emotional health and ensure they are aware of options to receive help.

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Services: Provides crisis counseling and mental health services to residents dealing with disaster-related stress.

Contact: Access services at LACDMH or call the 24/7 Help Line at 800.854.7771.

Orange County Health Care Agency – Behavioral Health Services

Services: Offers mental health services, including crisis intervention and counseling for disaster survivors.

Contact: Visit OC Health Care Agency or call 855.625.4657.

American Red Cross

Services: Offers shelter, food, and emotional support to those impacted by disasters.

Contact: Disaster Distress Helpline: 800.985.5990 or RedCross.org

These are just a few organizations dedicated to providing emotional and mental health support to those affected by the wildfires. Reaching out to them can help individuals and families navigate the challenges they face during recovery. Share this list with a loved one or friend who may not be aware of the services that are available to them. 

A word of caution if you choose to donate to the relief effort, do your homework. Research the organizations to be sure they are reputable and making the best use of your donation.  Unfortunately, times like these also bring out those who will take advantage of the situation. There are several Go-Fund me efforts on social media, be sure to check these out in particular and ensure that they are actually associated with a reliable funding service. Reaching out to the individuals or efforts they support can help answer this question for you.