Christian Burgess
Christian Burgess, MSW, is Director of the National Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), a program of the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City providing 24/7 crisis counseling and emotional support for anyone in the U.S./territories struggling with distress or other mental health concerns related to natural or human-caused disasters. Prior to helping launch the DDH in February 2012, Christian served as the Training Coordinator for the Oil Spill Distress Helpline. Christian previously worked for over 10 years in youth violence prevention and trauma intervention, including as Director of School Programs at Safe Horizon, one of the nation's largest service providers for victims of crime and abuse. Christian serves on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee (ESCC) and Health Committee, and co-chaired the New York City VOAD ESCC from 2013-2014.
