119th Congress
Mental Health Resources for DCA Disaster
In the wake of the tragic air collision at DCA, the emotional and psychological toll on the families impacted, first responders, and our community at-large is profound. If you have been impacted by this event, it’s crucial to prioritize your mental well-being.
Below is a list of mental health support materials and resources provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including resources focused on general behavioral health needs after a traumatic incident, as well as separate sections listing materials for children, youth, and caregivers, and first responders.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports preparedness efforts by states, U.S. territories, tribes, and local entities to deliver an effective mental health and substance use-related (behavioral health) response to disasters.
General Disaster Response and Recovery Information
- Tips for Survivors: Coping With Anger After a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Developed by SAMHSA, this tip sheet intends to aid survivors in coping with bouts of anger that may follow disasters or traumatic events. The tip sheet describes the physical changes that may indicate anger and provides guidance for coping and integrating positive habits into your life, as well as resources for additional support.
- Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: In this tip sheet, SAMHSA defines and describes grief, discusses ways of coping with grief, and explains complicated or traumatic grief. The tip sheet also offers relevant resources for additional support.
- Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress: This SAMHSA tip sheet gives stress prevention and management tips for dealing with the effects of a disaster or trauma. It identifies common reactions to disasters and other traumatic events, lists tips to manage and lower stress, and highlights signs of the need for professional support.
Esta hoja de recomendaciones también está disponible en Español Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Traumatic Event: What To Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life: In this tip sheet, SAMHSA describes the effects that disasters and other traumatic events can have on survivors in general, and specifically on different parts of their lives. The tip sheet suggests steps to cope with a disaster or other trauma, lists signs of the need for professional mental health and substance use assistance, and identifies resources for additional information and support.
Esta hoja de recomendaciones también está disponible en Español.
- Be Red Cross Ready: Taking Care of Your Emotional Health after a Disaster: This fact sheet from the American Red Cross lists common reactions to a disaster, identifies ways for survivors to cope effectively, and highlights signs of the need for additional mental health support.
The American Red Cross also offers this fact sheet in a large-print edition, as well as in several languages other than English:
• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Haitian Creole
• Korean
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Vietnamese - Tips for Adults—Part of the Psychological First Aid (PFA) Field Operations Guide: this handout identifies common reactions in adults who have experienced a disaster, suggests responses, and offers examples of things to do and say to cope with the reaction. These suggestions and examples include a breathing exercise for relaxation, prioritization of responsibilities that feel overwhelming, and tapping into existing relationships for support.
The resource is available in five additional languages:
• Japanese
• Mandarin
• Russian
• Spanish
• Ukrainian - When Terrible Things Happen – What You May Experience—Also part of the Psychological First Aid (PFA) Field Operations Guide: this handout identifies common reactions to disasters and other extremely adverse events and suggests a wide range of steps people can take to improve well-being and enhance resilience.
Resources for Children, Youth, Parents and Other Caregivers, and Schools
- Children and Adolescents—Two sections of the SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) resource collection focus on the common responses and needs children and adolescents may have during and after disasters. These sections include resources that highlight the unique needs of children and adolescents in and after disasters, as well as how adults who work with children, and parents and other caregivers, can offer support to children and adolescents in coping. Following are SAMHSA DBHIS sections related to children and adolescents:
- Children and Disasters: Part of the Survivors of Disasters Resource Portal at the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center website, this web page describes how children and teenagers may experience disasters differently from adults, offers tips for disaster planning for families, identifies common reactions to disasters in children and teenagers, and provides suggestions for adults for helping children and teenagers cope after disaster. Links to related resources are also provided.
- Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers: This SAMHSA tip sheet can help parents, other caregivers, and teachers recognize and address problems in children and teens affected by a disaster. The tip sheet describes reactions that are common in young survivors at different ages, as well as how to help children cope with these reactions.
Esta hoja de recomendaciones también está disponible en Español. - Age-related Reactions to a Traumatic Event: In this fact sheet, NCTSN provides an overview of how children and adolescents may react to a traumatic event, including a natural or human-caused disaster that they experience as traumatic. This resource describes reactions typical within specific age ranges and offers tips for families, doctors, and school personnel to help children and adolescents cope.
The information in the fact sheet is provided in a video in American Sign Language at. Also, the fact sheet is available in several languages other than English:
• Dari
• German
• Japanese
• Pashto
• Russian
• Ukrainian
- Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers: After children lose someone they love in a disaster or other event, they may go through traumatic grief, particularly if the death was sudden or frightening. In this tip sheet, NCTSN explains how school-age children may experience traumatic grief and suggests ways for parents and other caregivers to support them in moving through and coping with this type of grief.
Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers: This NCTSN tip sheet explains how teens may experience traumatic grief, a type of grief that people may go through after a death that occurs as part of a disaster or other sudden or violent event. The tip sheet describes 10 ways that teens may feel, behave, and express themselves as they go through traumatic grief. For each reaction, it suggests ways for parents and other caregivers to offer support.
This tip sheet is provided in three other languages:
• Russian
• Spanish
• UkrainianHelping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers: In this tip sheet, NCTSN explains how young children may experience traumatic grief, which can arise after a disaster or other event in which the child lost a loved one. The tip sheet lists ways in which young children may go through and express traumatic grief and offers suggestions for parents and other caregivers to support children in coping.
This tip sheet is provided in three other languages:
• Russian
• Spanish
• Ukrainian
Resources for Disaster Responders and First Responders
- Connecting Communities to Substance Use Services: Practical Approaches for First Responders: This guide explains how first responders can play a crucial role in helping people who use drugs find and access substance use services and other services and resources to improve their health and well-being. The guide covers foundational skills and practices and public health approaches for first responders to use in support of people who use drugs, as well as things to consider in implementing practices and programs to help people who use drugs and their communities.
- First Responders and Disaster Responders Resource Portal: This part of the SAMHSA DTAC website notes the stressors that may be involved in work as a responder, identifies signs of stress, and offers coping tips. The page features links to tip sheets, online trainings, and other resources related to responder mental health and freedom from substance use issues and conditions.
- A Guide to Managing Stress for Disaster Responders and First Responders:This SAMHSA guide is designed for first responders, public health workers, construction workers, transportation workers, utility workers, crisis counselors, and volunteers who respond to disasters and other crises. The guide provides information on how people experience stress; signs of extreme stress; and ways for organizations and individuals to manage and mitigate stress before, during, and after disaster response.
- SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App: The SAMHSA Disaster App is a free tool for first responders and disaster response and recovery workers. It provides geographically specific information about mental health and substance use services to support individual and community referrals (through FindTreatment.gov). The tool also provides resources for first responders and disaster response and recovery workers to support their pre-deployment preparation, on-the-ground assistance, and post-deployment demobilization. The app is available for download on Apple and Android devices.
- Responder Safety and Health: In this topical resource collection, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) provides a wealth of items for health care, public health, and emergency management professionals pertaining to safety, including mental health-related safety for responders. Part of the ASPR Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange resource, the collection features three sections about responder behavioral health and resilience.
Additional Resources for Acute Needs
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) provides free, confidential crisis counseling and support to people in distress due to natural and human-caused disasters. The DDH is available 24/7, on all days of the year, via talk or text to 1–800–985–5990. The line also offers support in Spanish (people who call or text should press 2 for this option) and more than 100 additional languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can text or call the DDH at 1–800–985–5990 using their preferred relay provider.
Esta página también está disponible en Español. Other DDH information is available in 30 commonly spoken languages. - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a source of support available 24/7 to people in crisis, including people experiencing challenging reactions to disasters. Call 988 for support in English or Spanish.
Esta página también está disponible en Español: https://988lifeline.org/es/home.
A disaster event such as this is unexpected and often brings out strong emotions. People can call or text the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline’s toll-free number (1–800–985–5990) and receive immediate counseling. This free, confidential, multilingual crisis support service is available to anyone experiencing distress as a result of a natural or human-caused disaster. People who call and text are connected to trained, caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network. Helpline staff provide confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services.
Download the SAMHSA Disaster Mobile App: The SAMHSA Disaster Mobile App is a free tool for first responders and disaster response and recovery workers. It provides geographically specific information about mental health and substance use services to support individual and community referrals (through FindTreatment.gov). The tool also provides resources for first responders and disaster response and recovery workers to support their pre-deployment preparation, on-the-ground assistance, and post-deployment demobilization. The app is available for download on Apple and Android devices.
Message from Loudoun County Public Schools
For students and families, mental health professionals are available to provide guidance and support. If your child needs assistance processing this tragedy, please reach out to SMHSleadershipteam@lcps.org with a preferred contact number, and a team member will be in touch within 24 hours.
For staff, we encourage you to utilize the AllOne Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers free and confidential support 24/7. You can access these services by calling 1-800-327-7272 or logging in at lytleEAP.com.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Releases Statement on Crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam released a statement on the devastating crash at DCA.
“Today our community mourns this terrible tragedy that took the lives of 67 individuals and their families, some of whom were a part of our community” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. “While we let the investigation run its course and figure out how to prevent tragedies like this in the future, I am keeping the victims and their families in my deepest thoughts and prayers. Our office remains available to anyone affected, and I am particularly grateful to our first responders, including those from Fairfax and Prince William counties, who rushed immediately to the scene.
“While we are still awaiting names of all the victims, I have been made aware that among them was an ice skating instructor as well as former students from Loudoun County Public Schools and residents of my district. I join our community in grieving for them during this incredibly difficult time.”
A former Policy Advisor to President Barack Obama, Congressman Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly since first getting elected in 2019. In Richmond, Subramanyam founded the bipartisan "Commonwealth Caucus” – a bipartisan group of legislators focused on finding common ground. He passed landmark legislation to lower toll costs for commuters, issue refunds to overcharged consumers, combat the rise in gun violence, and ensure all students have access to the best educational opportunities. He will continue to deliver real, bipartisan, results in Congress. Subramanyam served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda, and their two daughters, Maya (4) and Nina (3).
###
Congressman Subramanyam Blasts Administration’s Reckless Move to Freeze All Federal Funding and Grants
Washington, D.C. —Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement after the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implemented a freeze on all federal grants and loans, which could disrupt public programs that millions of Americans depend on.
“People have been calling my office scared, concerned, and rightfully confused by these dangerous and unnecessary federal funding freezes. Shelters have said they may have to close, veterans may not receive their benefits, seniors will not receive medical care, and kids will go hungry at school,” said Suhas Subramanyam. “These actions are unconstitutional, defy precedent, and I will do everything in my power to protect groups who will be devastated by these cuts.
This action does nothing to help our federal deficit or to lower costs. Instead, it will lead to more expenses to taxpayers and higher costs for Americans, all at the expense of tax cuts for the very wealthiest corporations. This sweeping freeze of all federal aid will target exactly the groups the president claims to champion: local law enforcement, veterans, seniors, and school kids.”
A former Policy Advisor to President Barack Obama, Congressman Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly since first getting elected in 2019. In Richmond, Subramanyam founded the bipartisan "Commonwealth Caucus” – a bipartisan group of legislators focused on finding common ground. He passed landmark legislation to lower toll costs for commuters, issue refunds to overcharged consumers, combat the rise in gun violence, and ensure all students have access to the best educational opportunities. He will continue to deliver real, bipartisan, results in Congress. Subramanyam served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda, and their two daughters, Maya (4) and Nina (3).
###
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Issues Statement on the Firing of at Least 12 Inspectors Generals Overnight By President Trump
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, issued a statement on the firing of at least 12 Inspectors General by President Trump in an overnight ousting of key independent investigative watchdogs in the federal government.
“In the dark of the night, when he believed no one was watching him, President Trump fired the independent federal officials on the frontline of holding agencies accountable and identifying fraud, waste, and abuse of power and taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. “This violates federal law and creates a vacuum in accountability across the federal government. The president has clearly signaled that accountability and efficiency are taking a back seat to corruption, self-dealing, and shameless political loyalty.”
Inspectors General are critical to ensuring that laws are upheld, that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and that federal agencies are subject to intense inspection. By dismissing these federal watchdogs, several of whom were his own appointees in his first term, the president is sending a clear message to the American people that accountability is not a priority in his Administration. Their dismissals also break federal law, which requires the administration to notify Congress 30 days before the firing of a Senate-confirmed inspector general and provide a rationale for doing so. President Trump should explain his actions to the American people and immediately rescind the firing of these critical investigative officials.
A former Policy Advisor to President Barack Obama, Congressman Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly since first getting elected in 2019. In Richmond, Subramanyam founded the bipartisan "Commonwealth Caucus” – a bipartisan group of legislators focused on finding common ground. He passed landmark legislation to lower toll costs for commuters, issue refunds to overcharged consumers, combat the rise in gun violence, and ensure all students have access to the best educational opportunities. He will continue to deliver real, bipartisan, results in Congress. Subramanyam served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda, and their two daughters, Maya (4) and Nina (3).
###
Congressman Subramanyam Slams Republican Push to Rename Dulles Airport After President Trump
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam released a statement in response to recent efforts by congressional Republicans to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after President Donald Trump.
“It’s disappointing, but entirely unsurprising, that House Republicans would rather focus their efforts on renaming airports to honor their dear leader than tackling the real issues facing Americans,” Subramanyam said. “Instead of renaming our airport Trump Airport in a community that rejected Trump and his policies several times, House Republicans should focus on helping working families, lowering the price of everyday goods and services, and supporting our schools.”
A former Policy Advisor to President Barack Obama, Congressman Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly since first getting elected in 2019. In Richmond, Subramanyam founded the bipartisan "Commonwealth Caucus” – a bipartisan group of legislators focused on finding common ground. He passed landmark legislation to lower toll costs for commuters, issue refunds to overcharged consumers, combat the rise in gun violence, and ensure all students have access to the best educational opportunities. He will continue to deliver real, bipartisan, results in Congress. Subramanyam served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda, and their two daughters, Maya (4) and Nina (3).
###
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Appointed Ranking Member to House Oversight’s Subcommittee on the Military and Foreign Affairs
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam announced he was appointed Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs.
“I am honored to lead our Caucus on this Subcommittee that is critically important to Virginia. Our veterans, military families, and federal agency workers and contractors deserve our full support in Congress. I will stand up for the tens of thousands of civilian and military personnel who live in our region from being targeted and vilified, and I will ensure that our defense and foreign affairs agencies are run efficiently, effectively, and without overreach from this Administration,” Congressman Suhas Subramanyam said.
“I am thrilled that my friend and colleague, Suhas Subramanyam, will serve as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Military and Foreign Affairs,” said Ranking Member Connolly. “I have seen Suhas in action in the General Assembly and now as a Member of Congress, and I know there is no one better to take on this important role. Suhas will approach this job the same way he always does – with Northern Virginia’s best interests at heart. I look forward to working with him in this capacity and I can’t wait to see all he will accomplish.”
About the Subcommittee: This subcommittee is in charge of overseeing national security, foreign activities, and U.S. borders and immigration, along with the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement.
***
A former Policy Advisor to President Barack Obama, Congressman Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly since first getting elected in 2019. In Richmond, Subramanyam founded the bipartisan "Commonwealth Caucus” – a bipartisan group of legislators focused on finding common ground. He passed landmark legislation to lower toll costs for commuters, issue refunds to overcharged consumers, combat the rise in gun violence, and ensure all students have access to the best educational opportunities. He will continue to deliver real, bipartisan, results in Congress. Subramanyam served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda, and their two daughters, Maya (4) and Nina (3).
###
Thank You
Thank you for submitting your request.
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Questions Witnesses During His First House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) participated in the Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing where members discussed telework policy for the federal workforce.
Congressman Subramanyam defended federal workers during his first Committee hearing, directing his questions towards Governor Martin O’Malley, former Administrator of the Social Security Administration, and former Congressman Tom Davis (VA-11). He stressed the importance of keeping federal agencies in the region for the local economy and spoke to the importance of protecting the federal workers and contractors who serve our country. Congressman Subramanyam represents over 34,000 federal workers and fought back assumptions that firing or relocating thousands of federal employees would be to the benefit of the region and the nation, stating:
“Moving away agencies from our region would be a self-imposed recession, and firing federal workers in mass would be a self-imposed recession for Northern Virginia. So, I love the concern for Metro. I love the concern for businesses in our region. I’m looking forward to having that discussion and solving that, but the rhetoric coming from the administration is really bad for our local economy.”
***
A former Policy Advisor to President Barack Obama, Congressman Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly since first getting elected in 2019. In Richmond, Subramanyam founded the bipartisan "Commonwealth Caucus” – a bipartisan group of legislators focused on finding common ground. He passed landmark legislation to lower toll costs for commuters, issue refunds to overcharged consumers, combat the rise in gun violence, and ensure all students have access to the best educational opportunities. He will continue to deliver real, bipartisan, results in Congress. Subramanyam served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda, and their two daughters, Maya (4) and Nina (3).
###
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Announces Key Hires For His Congressional Staff
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam announced his slate of staff who have joined his congressional office. Several team members were recruited from his predecessor Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton’s office, each bringing years of expertise across government specialties. The Congressman said:
“I am really proud of the team we put together to help me carry out the critical work of serving Virginia’s 10th district. With years of expertise in the legislative process, constituent casework, office management, and communications, and experience serving Northern Virginia constituents, they bring a depth of knowledge that will help us navigate challenges and deliver meaningful results for those we serve.”
Abby Carter is Chief of Staff of Congressman Subramanyan’s office. She most recently served as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton for six years.
Chris Katson is Legislative Director of Congressman Subramanyan’s office. He most recently served as Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton’s Legislative Director for two years and as her legislative aide for several years prior to that role.
Gabriela “Gabi” Garcia-Ugalde is the Communications Director for Congressman Subramanyam’s office. She most recently was at the White House where she served as Chief of Staff for the Office of Communications.
Madeleine Gagne is Director of Operations for Congressman Subramanyam. She previously served Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton’s office in operations for two years and previously served the commonwealth in Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s office.
Tami Davis is the District Director for Congressman Subramanyam’s office, and prior to that she was Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton’s district director, outreach coordinator, and constituent services representative over the past six years.
Anthony Barnes is Deputy District Director for Congressman Subramanyam’s office. He has served as the Military and Veterans Affairs Manager for Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton for six years and the Veterans Affairs Outreach Specialist for Congresswoman Barbara Comstock for two years.
Additional Staff Hires:
Maz Abbasi as Constituent Service Representative
Saira Bhatti as District Congressional Liaison
Zoe Calderazzi as Legislative Correspondent
Elizabeth Cooper as Legislative Correspondent
Matthew “Matt” Fisher as Special Assistant and Policy Advisor
Aditi Gupta as Senior Legislative Assistant
Monica Harrer as Constituent Service Representative
Yekaterina Jonkers as Staff Assistant
Lana Marro-Westfall as Senior Constituent Services Representative
***
A former Policy Advisor to President Barack Obama, Congressman Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly since first getting elected in 2019. In Richmond, Subramanyam founded the bipartisan "Commonwealth Caucus” – a bipartisan group of legislators focused on finding common ground. He passed landmark legislation to lower toll costs for commuters, issue refunds to overcharged consumers, combat the rise in gun violence, and ensure all students have access to the best educational opportunities. He will continue to deliver real, bipartisan, results in Congress. Subramanyam served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife, Miranda, and their two daughters, Maya (4) and Nina (3).
###