Hill Country Flood Disaster – Mental Health Resources

The recent flooding in Central Texas has caused immense hardship for individuals, families, and entire communities. Whether you’re providing care to those directly affected or offering support from afar, the following mental health resources are here to guide recovery, resilience, and healing.

General Mental Health Resources

• Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress – Texas Flooding Disaster Mental Health Response and Recovery Resources
• AACAP Natural Disaster Resource Center
• Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress – Fact Sheet Library
• Psychological First Aid – How You Can Support Well-Being in Disaster Victims (PDF)
• Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy (PDF)
• Helping Children Understand Frightening Events (PDF)
• APA: Coping After Disaster
• APA: Disaster Resources for Psychiatrists, Communities, Families and APA Leadership

Resources from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

Family and Caregiver Resources

• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (English) |
  En Español
• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (English) |
  En Español |
  ASL
• Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents (English) |
  En Español
• Once I Was Very Very Scared (English) |
  En Español (PDF)
• Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (English) |
  En Español
• Creating Supportive Environments When Scary Things Happen (English) |
  En Español
• Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (English) |
  En Español
• Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (English) |
  En Español
• Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (English) |
  En Español
• Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (English) |
  En Español
• The Power of Parenting: How to Help Your Child After a Parent or Caregiver Dies
• Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing |
  En Español

Psychological First Aid (PFA)

• PFA Online Training (English) |
  En Español
• PFA Mobile App
• PFA Wallet Card |
  En Español
• Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers (English) |
  En Español
• Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers (English) |
  En Español
• Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children (English) |
  En Español
• Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents (English) |
  En Español
• Tips for Adults (English) |
  En Español

Mobile Apps

• Help Kids Cope
• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App
• Bounce Back Now (English) |
  En Español

Treatment Resources

1. University of Texas Southwestern. We are heartbroken by the impact of the devastating flooding in Central Texas. We’re here to help the families of our Texas community by offering behavioral health consultations at no charge via our Virtual Visit app. Download the Children’s Health℠ Virtual Visit app to access and schedule an appointment through Sunday, July 20, using code “TXFLOOD” in place of payment information. Please share this resource with families that have been affected by these tragic events and learn about other resources.
2. The Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network (TX-CTRN) is seeking research participants for a paid 2-year study to understand trauma in children and adolescents. YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU: •Are between the ages of 8-20 •Have a history of a traumatic event •Can dedicate time to 6 virtual or in-person study assessments over 2 years • Speak English or Spanish Compensation up to $400 *Parents/guardians of minors under age 18 must provide consent for the participation of their child*. Please see the following link for all participating sites: https://www.utmb.edu/psychiatry/research-i
3. Local MHMR

Additional Resources from CSTS and Partners

• Sustaining the Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers While Caring for Disaster Victims
• Safety, Recovery and Hope after Disaster
• Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events
• Clean Up Safely After a Disaster |
  En Español
• Reentering Your Flooded Home |
  En Español

Disaster Helpline

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline:
Call or text 1-800-985-5990 (press “2” for Spanish). Available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Training for Youth-Serving Professionals

NEW DAY (Network for Enhancing Wellness in Disaster-Affected Youth) offers free training in the following evidence-based programs:

• Psychological First Aid (PFA)
• Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR)
• Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE™)

For more information, visit newday.fiu.edu or email newday@fiu.edu.