Mental Health Advice for Hurricane Survivors

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates 500,000 people - both storm survivors and the emergency workers who helped them - may need mental health services.

On Wednesday the department is starting a national campaign to encourage people who need help to call confidential, 24-hour help lines, 1-800-789-2647 for hurricane survivors and 1-800-273-8255, for first responders. The second number is the National Suicide Prevention hot line.

It's common for victims of natural disasters to have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder months later, said Betsy Schwartz, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Greater Houston. MORE