MENTAL HEALTH

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Here are some resources to help manage anxiety, stress, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Take good care of yourself.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Manage Anxiety and Stress
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): COVID Resource & Information Guide
World Health Organization (WHO): Coping With Stress During the COVID Outbreak
HELPLINES
Get immediate help in a crisis
Call 911
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chatexternal icon.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat
The Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chatext or text: 8388255
LOCAL PROVIDERS
EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO STRESSFUL SITUATIONS
HOW YOU RESPOND TO STRESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CAN DEPEND ON YOUR BACKGROUND, YOUR SOCIAL SUPPORT FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS, YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION, YOUR HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL BACKGROUND, THE COMMUNITY YOU LIVE IN, AND MANY OTHER FACTORS. THE CHANGES THAT CAN HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE WAYS WE TRY TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS CAN AFFECT ANYONE.
PEOPLE WHO MAY RESPOND MORE STRONGLY TO THE STRESS OF A CRISIS INCLUDE:
PEOPLE WHO ARE AT HIGHER RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS FROM COVID-19 (FOR EXAMPLE, OLDER PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE OF ANY AGE WITH CERTAIN UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS).
FRONTLINE WORKERS SUCH AS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS,
ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO WORK IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
PEOPLE WHO USE SUBSTANCES OR HAVE A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, HAD THEIR WORK HOURS REDUCED, OR HAD OTHER MAJOR CHANGES TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES OR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY.
PEOPLE WHO ARE SOCIALLY ISOLATED FROM OTHERS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO LIVE ALONE, AND PEOPLE IN RURAL OR FRONTIER AREAS.
PEOPLE IN SOME RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS.
PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN THEIR PRIMARY LANGUAGE.
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CONGREGATE (GROUP) SETTINGS.
HEALTHY WAYS TO COPE WITH STRESS
KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT COVID-19. CONTACT A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BEFORE YOU START ANY SELF-TREATMENT FOR COVID-19.
KNOW WHERE AND HOW TO GET TREATMENT AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING COUNSELING OR THERAPY (IN PERSON OR THROUGH TELEHEALTH SERVICES).
TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH. TAKING CARE OF YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH WILL HELP YOU THINK CLEARLY AND REACT TO THE URGENT NEEDS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
TAKE BREAKS FROM WATCHING, READING, OR LISTENING TO NEWS STORIES, INCLUDING THOSE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. HEARING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC REPEATEDLY CAN BE UPSETTING.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY.
TAKE DEEP BREATHS, STRETCH, OR MEDITATEEXTERNAL ICON.
AVOID EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE.
MAKE TIME TO UNWIND. TRY TO DO SOME OTHER ACTIVITIES YOU ENJOY.
CONNECT WITH OTHERS. TALK WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS AND HOW YOU ARE FEELING.
CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY- OR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES ARE IN PLACE, CONSIDER CONNECTING ONLINE, THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, OR BY PHONE OR MAIL.