Friday, Gov. Kristi Noem issued a State of Emergency and ordered state personnel and resources to communities impacted by the damaging storms that occurred Thursday in eastern South Dakota.
The Department of Public Safety's Office of Emergency Management has opened an Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response with local government authorities.
Mental health help available for storm victims
Help is available for individuals and families dealing with the stress and uncertainty that follows natural disasters like last night's storms across eastern South Dakota.
"The Department of Social Services is here to connect people with resources to help them cope with the aftermath of devastating storms," said Department of Social Services Cabinet Secretary Laurie Gill. "If you need help, it is available."
The 211 Helpline Center provides free and confidential information and support to all South Dakotans in every county within the state. Trained support specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide crisis counseling or connect you to local resources including disaster related supports. Simply call 211 or text your zip code to 898211. The 211 Helpline app is also free and available on Google Play or the App Store.
DSS contracts with 11 Community Mental Health Centers across the state to provide mental health services to children and adults. To find services in your area, visit https://dss.sd.gov/behavioralhealth/agencycounty.aspx or call the South Dakota Treatment Resource Hotline at 1-800-920-4343. Services can be in person or via telehealth and financial assistance is available.
The Crisis Text Line is a free support to individuals in crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text "TALK" to 741741 from anywhere in the United States to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
The Helpline Center's Text4Hope program provides crisis texting support for all high school students in the state of South Dakota 24/7. Text "icare" to 898211.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 800-276-8255 (TALK) or access their Chat at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.
"Disasters like South Dakota experienced yesterday can take a heavy toll on your mental health," said Department of Social Services Cabinet Secretary Laurie Gill. "No one needs to go through this alone -- there are people waiting to help."
Categories: South Dakota, Government & Policy