Missouri Department of Mental Health provides online assistance

Missouri State Senator Bill White says the Missouri Department of Mental Health has responded to the coronavirus pandemic by making a toll-free Disaster Distress Helpline available on a 24/7 basis.

It is there to provide free counseling services to those impacted by or experiencing trauma from COVID-19 or other problems.

All you have to do is dial 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect to confidential counseling or other support services.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public visits to state mental health offices have been temporarily suspended.

Even so, the Department is also available online with a Suicide Prevention number and links for assistance with developmentally disabled and mental health services, SATOP classes, gambling addiction help and opioid response information. In-person classes will resume when the coronavirus threat ends.

To get started is to visit the Department of Mental Health web page at https://dmh.mo.gov/ .