Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Disaster Assistance Programs

Individual Disaster Assistance Programs 

Administration of the individual disaster assistance and case management programs transitioned to the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management July 1, 2023 as part of state government realignment. Please visit https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance/.
 

Behavioral Health

Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team

The Iowa Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team (DBHRT) is a trained team of volunteers who will respond to the mental health needs of Iowa residents following disasters and critical incidents. The team provides services for community providers based on local area needs and may be delivered at a disaster site in an affected community or statewide. Services may include:
  • Conduct behavioral health needs assessment following a disaster
  • Provide Psychological First Aid
  • Provide brief crisis counseling and intervention
  • Provide community outreach
  • Provide public information and education
  • Provide critical incident stress debriefing
  • Provide behavioral health consultation for providers, communities and individuals
  • Provide screening and referral for those affected by a disaster or critical event
Local authorities may request DBHRT assistance in order to meet the behavioral health needs of communities in crisis by contacting the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Duty Officer. The duty officer is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 515-725-3231. For more information go to www.iowadbhrt.org.  
 

Your Life Iowa

If you or a loved one are facing a problem with alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health or suicidal thoughts, you’re not alone. That is why the Iowa Department of Public Health has created YourLifeIowa.org so Iowans can chat live, text, or call and get reliable information and treatment options, and find nearby help.

If there is an immediate crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) at 988 or click here to access the Lifeline chat. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help.

 

Project Recovery Iowa

Project Recovery Iowa provides counseling, personal support, virtual activities, referrals and help finding resources to any Iowan seeking assistance or a listening ear. Iowans of all ages may join groups online to find support and learn creative strategies for coping with the effects of anxiety and stress by learning coping skills and resilience.
www.Projectrecoveryiowa.org
Iowa WARM Line:  844-775-WARM (9276)
Iowa Concern:  800-447-1985


Abbe Center Iowa Warm Line (Eastern Iowa)

The Iowa Warm Line is a peer-run, telephone based, non-crisis and confidential listening line for anyone struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. The Warm Line is staffed by individuals who have been through a similar journey and are in recovery themselves.
The phone number to call is 1-844-775-9276. Calls are answered seven days a week from 5 - 10 p.m.
For 24/7 disaster crisis counseling, call Iowa Concern Hotline at 800-447-1985.
Additional information and resources on Mental Health assistance following disasters visit Mental Health Disaster page

Ukrainian Disaster Distress Helpline

If you are in need extra assistance to cope with unfolding events and uncertainties in the Ukraine, the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the nation’s only hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to anyone in the U.S. and its territories. 

Ukrainian Disaster Distress Helpline One-Page Summary (Ukrainian) (Russian)

Via third-party interpretation services, the DDH (1-800-985-5990) can connect callers to crisis counselors in over 100 languages, including in Ukrainian. When calling the hotline, simply indicate what language you prefer, and the counselor will proceed to connect with an interpreter while you both stay on the line.

Callers are connected with trained and caring counselors from a network of crisis centers across the country. Helpline staff provide supportive counseling, including information on common stress reactions and healthy coping, as well as referrals to local disaster-related resources for follow-up care and support.