Oil Spill Distress Helpline Available

A new toll-free helpline provides information, support, and counseling for families and children affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Part of the Obama Administration’s long-term oil spill recovery plan, the Oil Spill Distress Helpline—1-800-985-5990—links callers to behavioral health services. The helpline serves as an important resource for the localized oil spill outreach efforts in the Gulf Coast states.

Administered by SAMHSA, the helpline will route callers to the nearest Gulf Coast area crisis center, where trained staff from the region will answer calls and provide assistance. In addition, these crisis centers are working to provide support via text messages.

“History tells us that the emotional impact of the devastating losses experienced by individuals and families as a result of the oil spill will continue to play out over the years to come,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Now that the immediate response phase has come to a close, we are shifting our focus to long-term recovery and being there for Gulf Coast residents in need of emotional strength as they rebuild their lives.”

The helpline is funded by BP’s contribution to SAMHSA. For more information, visit the HHS BP Gulf Oil Spill web page. And watch for the text-messaging launch!