Rebuilding Sonoma County: Where to get and give help in fire’s wake
There are a number of resources available for fire survivors and mental health professionals interested in contributing their time and learning more about wildfire trauma-recovery skills.
The Health Care Foundation Northern California: The foundation has launched a self-help website aimed at helping fire survivors deal with their post-disaster stress. Visit mysonomastrong.com. For more information on how to get involved or contribute to the project, contact Debbie Mason at 707-473-0583 or dmason@healthcarefoundation.net.
RECAMFT: Some members of the Redwood Empire Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, or RECAMFT, have volunteered to give three to five free sessions of counseling to anyone affected by the fires. Go to recamft.org/freecounseling to see a listing of therapists by city. RECAMFT’s full list of fire survivor resources can be found online at recamft.org/local-resources.
iRest Meditation: Trauma-informed yoga and iRest Meditation classes in Sonoma County can be found online at recamft.org/yoga/
Forest Bathing: Walks led by licensed therapist Susan Karle take fire survivors through Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, in Kenwood. The next walk takes place at 10 a.m. Sept 6. For more information, visit recamft.org/event-2996765.
Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: The agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains a disaster distress help line that can be accessed online at samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline.
County services: Sonoma County’s mental health recovery website offers links to disaster resource guides, crisis help lines, free therapy and crisis counseling online at sonomacountyrecovers.org/mental-health-wellness.
California HOPE program: Sonoma County’s program provides outreach and counseling to those affected by the wildfires. The federally funded program provides crisis counseling, resource navigation and disaster recovery education. Counselors can be reached at:
Santa Rosa, 707-608-8805
Northern Sonoma County, 707-608-8807
Sonoma Valley, 707-608-8806
Southern Sonoma County, 707-608-8806
West Sonoma County, 707-608-8807
Adults age 50 or older, 707-608-8804
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