LEWISTON, Maine — After the tragic events that took place in Lewiston last week, the impact is being felt all across the tightknit Deaf community. There are resources for those struggling with mental health. Remember this: You are not alone.
Intentional Warm Line: 1-866-771-WARM (9276)
Sweetser offers interpreters for anyone deaf or hard of hearing for services related to the intentional warm line at 1.866.771.9276 (WARM).
Reminder on the warm line: Peer-to-peer support is available for adults, offering free mutual conversations with a trained peer specialists who have experience with mental health recovery.
Deaf Crisis Line: 321-800-DEAF (3323)
DeafLEAD provides a videophone crisis line for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals 24/7, 365 days a year. The Deaf Crisis Line focuses on meeting the needs of deaf individuals who are victims of crime and need emotional support and resources.
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1 800 985-5990
The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, dial 1 800-985-5990, or go to www.samhsa.gov and click the "ASL Now" button. ASL Support is available 24/7.
The number 988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline). When people call text, or chat the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained counselors that are a part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. Text or dial 988 on your videophone or go to www.988lifeline.org and click "ASL NOW".
Deafmaine.org
Deafmaine.org has several counseling options available for victims and community members seeking help, locally and virtually. Some are free, some are not. That page will be updated as more information becomes available.
ASL Interpreter Requests: services@aslinterpretermaine.com
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