Limited research has evaluated the mental health effects of compounding disasters (e.g., hurricanes followed by a heat wave), and few studies have relied on crisis lines for post-disaster mental health surveillance. This study examined changes in crisis help-seeking for individuals in Louisiana, USA, before and after Hurricane Ida (2021), a storm that co-occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent hurricane, and corresponding heatwave. An interrupted time series analysis for a single and multiple group comparisons were used to examine pre-and post- changes in crisis text volume (any crisis text, substance use, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety and bereavement) among help-seeking individuals in communities that received individual and public assistance disaster declarations. Results showed a significant increase in crisis texts for any reason, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety, and bereavement in the short-term impact period. In the continued impact period, there was an increase in crisis texts for any crisis event, substance use, thoughts of suicide, stress/anxiety, and bereavement. Findings highlight the need for more mental health support for residents directly impacted by concurrent disasters.
