Optum Provides Free Mental Health Support Help Line for Wildfire Victims in New Mexico

Affected residents can call 866-342-6892 for help managing stress and anxiety

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Optum, a leading health services company, is offering a free emotional support help line for people in New Mexico affected by the recent wildfires.

The company’s toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. Specially trained Optum mental health specialists help people manage their stress and anxiety so they can continue to address their everyday needs. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.

In addition, through a $500,000 annual commitment, Optum participates in the Annual Disaster Giving Program of the American Red Cross, which is offering shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to people in the affected communities.

Along with the toll-free help line, emotional support resources and information are available online in English at www.liveandworkwell.com and Spanish at www.mentesana-cuerposano.com.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About Optum
Optum is an information and technology-enabled health services company serving the broad health care marketplace, including care providers, plan sponsors, life sciences companies and consumers. Its business units – OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx – employ more than 35,000 people worldwide.