Behavioral Health

The Keep Calm Through COVID crisis phone line provides trained, compassionate counselors to support Louisianans through this difficult time. This hotline is for counseling only, and people calling for general information should call 211.

March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, promoting awareness of the resources available to those experiencing problems with gambling. Data compiled by the Office of Behavioral Health shows gambling spans all ages, genders and races in Louisiana.

Rebecca Davis writes: "While I managed, at first, to continue to be successful in my career, my personal life was in shambles. It did not take long for me to start to use the money meant for my utilities and living expenses on gambling. I was constantly juggling money and bills. I lived on edge daily but still continued to gamble. I borrowed money from everyone I knew, and I lied to make loans."

A holiday without alcohol is never the end of the world, but a holiday with excessive alcohol — mixed with driving or even walking—might well be just that, this year or next.

Family Support Survey The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is conducting a survey to better understand the types of assistance families of students with disabilities need to support the educational experience of their child/children. The information gathered from this survey will inform the LDOE's understanding of how to best support families across the state.

Holidays are often seen as a time of celebration, family gatherings, gift-giving, joy and other happy moments. But, for some, it is a time of additional stress, anxiety, blues or depression.

For the first time ever, Louisianans can dispose of their vaping and e-cigarette devices and cartridges during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26.

The Louisiana Department of Health recently unveiled the state's response plan to deal with the opioid epidemic across the nation that has not spared our area. Karen Stubbs, assistant secretary with LDH's Office of Behavorial Health joins Jeremy Poursine to talk about the five goals of the plan. If you need help, visit opioidhelpla.org or ldh.la.gov to find treatment options and more information.

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health will be holding meetings this coming Monday in Lafayette to gather experiences, ideas and concerns about behavioral health services.