In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, communities have been left grappling with immense physical and emotional challenges. Natural disasters can lead to widespread trauma, anxiety, and depression. To address the mental health needs of those affected, BetterHelp—the world’s largest online therapy platform—is stepping in to offer free services.
BetterHelp has teamed up with over 100+ organizations and local relief efforts to provide free online counseling for individuals impacted by the storm. These services allow survivors to access professional, licensed therapists from the comfort and safety of their homes or shelters, reducing the stigma and logistical barriers often associated with seeking mental health care.
Beyond individual therapy, BetterHelp also offers group counseling and webinars focusing on trauma, resilience, and coping mechanisms for disaster recovery. These resources are crucial in helping survivors navigate their feelings of loss, uncertainty, and fear as they rebuild their lives.
It’s essential to understand the long-term effects of survivors’ guilt, damaged homes, property loss, and the grief over lost loved ones. First responders, medical professionals, power and water companies, and civilian teams with disaster experience face unique emotional challenges as well. Their avenues and resources may look a little different than a WNC resident. The intense stress and trauma they endure while helping others can have lasting impacts on their mental health. Whether you’re a survivor or a rescuer, it’s important to acknowledge these emotional burdens.
The emotional toll may not be your first priority right now as you focus on surviving and picking up the pieces, but I encourage you to add it to your list as you begin to rebuild your life. Ignoring mental health struggles can intensify over time, making recovery even more difficult in the future. Professional support from platforms like BetterHelp can guide you through this process, helping you heal emotionally as you recover physically.
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, BetterHelp’s platform offers a confidential and flexible way to get support. Visit https://www.betterhelp.com/voucher/ ( provide the voucher hurricane-helene-support ) for more information on how to access free mental health services tailored to disaster survivors.
