NAMI Responds in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina
In the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people are without shelter, food, water, electricity, and other basic provisions. Those affected include our NAMI family members, state and local leaders, and most critically, people with mental illnesses, whose treatment and medications have been disrupted.
With the contributions of many, NAMI has embraced its role to assist in coordinating and supporting, to aspire to serve as a conduit of information, both for those who need help and for those who would like to help.
National Resources:
Texas Resources
Many consumers and families have been relocated to Texas with the refugee exodus from the Gulf States. Following are some anticipated locations and crisis contact information for areas around the state:
- 2-1-1 Information and Referral Network
Outside of Texas: 1-888-312-4567
The 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network, a statewide telecommunications network, is providing around the clock information about evacuation, shelter and general information, including:
- Shelter location information,
- Information about access to available medical care, such as dialysis,
- Requests for food,
- Requests for prescription assistance,
- Requests for diapers and formula,
-
Information related to accessing out of state Food Stamp benefits,
- Reassurance to evacuees unable to contact loved ones, and
- Donation and volunteer information.
- Food Assistance / Food Stamp Benefits
All individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina that come to Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) offices are being treated as applicants for expedited food stamp benefits, regardless of previous receipt of benefits in another state and other eligibility factors. HHSC has been working closely with the U. S. Department of Agriculture to implement these temporary changes. Food Stamp benefits are 100% federally funded.
Crisis Hotlines
- Betty Hardwick Center: A Community Mental Health Resource 24-Hour Crisis Hot Line
1-800-758-3344
Serving Callahan, Jones, Shackelford, Stephens, & Taylor Counties - 24 hours / 7 days
- Austin-Travis County Mental Health Hotline
(512) 472-HELP (4357)
(512) 703-1395 TTY
Serving Travis County - 24 hours / 7 days
- Rape & Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas
Suicide Hotline 24 hours / 7 days
(409) 835-3355 Collect Calls Accepted
1-800-7-WE-CARE
- Tri-County Mental Health Crisis Hotline
1-800-659-6994
Serving Liberty, Montgomery, and Walker Counties - 24 hours / 7 days
- Dallas MetroCare Services Crisis Hot Line
(214) 330-7722
Serving Dallas County - 24 hours / 7 days
- Contact Counseling and Crisis Line: Crisis Help Line
Adult Help Line: (972) 233-2233
Teen Help Line: (972) 233-TEEN (8336)
Serving the Dallas Community - 24 hours / 7 days
- Denton County Mental Health Center Crisis Hotline
1-800-762-0157
1-800-269-6233 TTY
Serving Denton County - 24 hours / 7 days
- The Mental Health Authority of Harris County Crisis Hotline
(713) 970-7000 | 1-866-970-4770
Serving Harris County 24 hours / 7 days
- NeuroPsychiatric Center: A 24-Hour Psychiatric Hospital
(713) 970-7070
- Crisis Intervention of Houston Crisis Hotline
24 hours / 7 days
Crisis Hotline
(713) HOTLINE
Teenline
(713) 529-TEEN
- Bluebonnet Trails Community Mental Health Center Crisis Hot Line
1-800-841-1255
Serving Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lee, & Williamson Counties - 24 hours / 7 days
- Mental Health Services for the Concho Valley Crisis Line
(325) 653-5933 | 1-800-375-8965
Serving Coke, Concho, Crockett, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, & Tom Green Counties - 24 hrs / 7 days
- The Center for Health Care Services Crisis Line
(210) 223-SAFE (7233) | 1-800-316-9241
Serving Bexar County - 24 hours / 7 days
- Helen Farabee Regional Mental Health Centers Crisis Intervention Services
1-800-621-8504
Serving Archer, Baylor, Childress, Clay, Cottle, Dickens, Foard, Hardeman, Haskell, Jack, King, Knox, Montague, Stonewall, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, & Young Counties - 24 hours / 7 days
More from NAMI.org: NAMI Hurricane Katrina Resource Guide