MENTAL HEALTH
We want to help you with your journey recovering from the Camp Fire. The following mental health services are available to offer support and healing as you recover from the trauma and challenges of the Camp Fire:
Camp Fire Connect Counseling
Camp Fire Connect Counseling is a collaboration between United Way of Northern California and Red Cross to provide mental health and wellness services to survivors of the Camp Fire. This service is available for any Camp Fire survivor, regardless of where they currently live. Survivors must register to participate in this program by February 19th, 2021. United Way will pay the therapist directly for up to 8 sessions per person. If you don’t already have a therapist, the first step is to identify one. You can select any therapist that is accepting new patients and willing to bill United Way.
Online/Mobile Resources
- Camp Fire Survivors– A website for Camp Fire survivors to tell their story and share in solidarity and healing. To share your own story as a Camp Fire Survivor, or to read the stories of Camp Fire Survivors, please visit: https://campfiresurvivors.com/
- Sonoma Rises- Sonoma Rises Application– Sonoma Rises is a free application available on the app store for iOS or google play created in response to the 2017 Sonoma Fires. Sonoma Rises is available in English and Spanish, and helps connect users with free and local mental health care services. The app aims to help users in increasing their wellbeing following a disaster or other traumatic situation. Users can access customized tools to help cope with stress, heal from loss, prioritize self-care, connect with others, manage anger, and track their mood. There are also tools within the app designed just for teens. available on Apple App Store and Google Play
- National Center for PTSD– PTSD Coach App and Website– Offering a free website and application with tools for coping with sadness, anxiety, and other symptoms that people who have been through trauma can develop. Some tools are brief and can help aide relaxation when feeling stressed or possibly improve mood. Offers guidance with tackling difficult problems, changing thinking patterns, and setting goals. Link to website: http://bit.ly/2ZafBQA. Also available on Apple App Store and Google Play
Online/Mobile Children’s Resources
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network– Offers online training, support, information and resources to the public and providers who work with children and families exposed to a wide range of traumatic experiences. NCTSN offers information on traumatic experiences including physical and sexual abuse; domestic, school, and community violence; natural disasters, terrorism, or military family challenges; and life-threatening injury and illnesses. Use the following link to access all NCTSN resources: http://bit.ly/2ZBmHhu
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)– Help Kids Cope Application- Offering a free mobile app for parents, helping parents talk to their children about disasters, including examples of typical reactions of children to disaster experiences, shared experiences from other parents that have experienced disaster, and ideas on what to say in certain situations in a child-friendly way. This app was developed by the National Child Stress Network. Available for download through the App store on mobile phones or online at: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/help-kids-cope
- Anthem Blue Cross– Tips for Talking to Children After Traumatic Events– Online resource for parents and educators navigating conversations with children who have experienced traumatic events. Accessible at https://bit.ly/2WcnHav
- SAMHSA– Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event- This guide provides parents, caregivers, and teachers various tips on how to talk to children and young adults after a disaster or traumatic event. This guide also offers resources, treatment locators, hotlines, and additional behavioral health resources. Accessible at http://bit.ly/2JDsnDm