Disaster Resources for Individuals with Behavioral Health Needs
When a disaster happens, it can be scary and stressful. You are not alone. This page can help you find resources before, during, or after disaster for yourself, your family, or the people you care for.
Disaster Preparedness
You do not need to wait for a disaster to happen to get ready. Taking small steps now can help you feel safer and more in control when a storm, flood, wildfire, or other emergency occurs.
Preparedness Tips:
- Build a support network - choose 2-3 people you trust, share your plans and needs, write down their names and phone numbers.
- Keep important phone numbers handy – therapist, doctor, or pharmacy
- Keep at least 3-7 days of extra medication if possible
- Put together a comfort and care kit
- Make a simple evacuation plan – know several ways to leave your home, choose a meeting place, plan how you will get transportation if you don’t drive
- Keep medical and mental health information together – diagnosis, medication and doses, allergies, emergency contacts, insurance card (or a copy)
- Charge devices
- Practice your plan
- Depending on the disaster - prepare your home
- Bring in or tie down outdoor items.
- Keep flashlights, batteries, and water in easy places.
- Prepare windows and doors for strong winds or flooding.
Register Ready NJ
New Jersey residents with disabilities or access and functional needs and their families, friends, caregivers and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency.
The information collected here is confidential and will not be available to the public. The information will be held securely and only used for emergency response and planning.Learn more about Register Ready or visit the Register Ready Portal to create or update your account.
Resources During or After Disaster
Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster.
988 Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat
988 is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year service. Formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the 988 Lifeline is uniquely positioned to provide support to individuals experiencing all levels of emotional distress. 988 is a nationwide number that provides an easy to remember number for connections to support. The advantage of 988 is that it is answered locally to provide linkage to the most appropriate, local resources.
Local Help Near You
During and after a disaster, local services can change quickly. This section will list real‑time resources available in your area. We will update this list as needed whenever new pop‑up sites, temporary services, or emergency supports become available.