Disaster Distress Helpline (Short Title: DDH)

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is a national crisis support service funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This initiative reflects SAMHSA’s ongoing commitment to addressing behavioral health needs arising from disaster situations. As part of the federal government’s mental health response infrastructure, the DDH plays a vital role in providing timely, accessible, and confidential emotional support to individuals and communities affected by both natural and human-caused disasters. The DDH offers 24/7 support via phone and text to people across the United States who experience psychological distress related to disasters. Services are provided in multiple languages and are intended to reach a wide spectrum of individuals, including disaster survivors, first responders, families, and others impacted by catastrophic events. The goal is to ensure immediate access to crisis counseling and reduce the incidence of long-term mental health consequences by intervening early with professional, trauma-informed care. Funding for the Disaster Distress Helpline is expected to be provided through a cooperative agreement, indicating a close, ongoing partnership between SAMHSA and the recipient organization. The total anticipated program funding is approximately $1,953,000, with a single award expected. While specific funding use guidelines are not detailed in the forecast notice, the structure suggests that awarded funds will be directed toward the operation and enhancement of DDH services, including maintaining and expanding call center infrastructure, training counselors, improving accessibility for underserved communities, and ensuring language inclusivity. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligible applicants include domestic public and private nonprofit entities. The grant opportunity specifically invites organizations with the capacity and experience to deliver national-scale crisis support services. The funding mechanism emphasizes scalability and responsiveness, which will likely factor into the evaluation of applications. Although the official application components and evaluation criteria are not listed in this forecast, potential applicants should be prepared to demonstrate experience in crisis intervention, national service delivery, and disaster-related behavioral health programs. As of the most recent forecast update on March 20, 2026, the estimated posting date for the official application is April 15, 2026. Key dates such as the application due date, award notification date, and project start date are not yet published, but prospective applicants should monitor Grants.gov and SAMHSA's website for updates. Contact for inquiries is Maryann Robinson, reachable at 240-276-1883 or [email protected]. The DDH grant reflects a continued investment in national disaster readiness and emotional well-being. With increased incidents of climate-related disasters and public health emergencies, this opportunity offers a strategic role for nonprofits to contribute to federal mental health support systems. Given the program’s anticipated annual recurrence and national focus, applicants may expect future funding cycles, though official confirmation of recurrence is pending the final Notice of Funding Opportunity.