Mental Health and COVID19: Resources
If you think you have been exposed to COVID‑19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) online for the most up-to-date information on the Coronavirus: cdc.gov
If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center to provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
Photo by Liz Strom of espressofied
List of Resources has been updated as of: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Covid-19 has changed all of our lives. Things seemed busy and, perhaps, complicated before the global pandemic struck— but now we have to think about how this affects us going forward. Mental health is extremely important and we need to address the implications this will have on us, whether we realize its importance or not. Below is a list of resources I’ve compiled to help.
I am not an anxious person but I do get anxious when I think about all-things COVID-19: too many lives lost, so much suffering, loss of jobs/income, cancellation of plans, small-business struggles, not being able to see one another in-person, etc.
I love people. I am an extrovert (with introvert tendencies). I am also very immunosuppressed.
Although I’ve been in self-quarantine since the very end of January 2020, I know I’ll have to remain at a distance from others for longer than most will have to. The Coronavirus death/illness numbers will go down, then come up again, then go back down, etc. Since I cannot fight off most viruses, the only way to stay safe is to keep away for longer. This makes me anxious, sad, down. The best I can do for myself to reduce my own anxiety and sadness is to focus on what things I can control and to take care of myself the best ways I know how. I use coping skills and distractions to keep my mind moving forward in healthier ways.
In addition to the resources I’ve listed below, sometimes we can forget what simple things can provide uplift. Here is a short list of simple things that help me. I hope these help you, too: sketching with instructions as I don’t know how to draw (“50 Ways To Draw Your Beautiful Ordinary Life”), playing music, singing out loud, dancing (to get out of your mind, get into your body), stretching/yoga, guided 5-minute breathing exercises, guided meditation, cooking and trying out new recipes, organizing my closet, reaching out to friends/family virtually, Instagram post creating, TikTok video watching/creating, watching YouTube to learn how to DIY, etc.
Wishing you well, always.
xx
Liz
PHONE NUMBERS (call/text/chat)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or online chat
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Questioning (LGBTQ) Trevor Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386 or online chat
Teen Suicide Hotline (Thursday's Child National Youth Advocacy Hotline): 1-800-USA-KIDS (872-5437)
The Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1 (or text to 838255) or online chat
RESOURCE SITES
Financial Help, Leaving An Abusive Relationship: https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/leaving-abusive-relationship-financial-help/
Sunshine Behavioral Health (guide on Substance Abuse and Mental Health in the Transgender Community): https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/resources/transgender-community/
The Trevor Site (LGBTQ+ Trevor Lifeline): http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
The Veterans Crisis: http://www.veteranscrisisline.net
Thursday’s Child (Teen Suicide Prevention): http://www.thursdayschild.org/
You Matter: https://youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
ARTICLES
APA: Social Distancing…
CDC: Outbreaks Can Be Stressful…
Cape News: The Social Impact of Covid-19
Channel 3000: “Long Term Social Distancing May Be Traumatic: Here Is What To Expect and What To Do”
Drugwatch: https://www.drugwatch.com/health/covid-19-consumers-guide/
https://www.drugwatch.com/health/mental-health/how-to-deal-with-anxiety/
Forbes: “The Mental Health Crisis Generated by Covid-19: Why It’s Critical and How You Can Retain Your Sanity”
JAMA Network: “The Mental Health Consequences of Covid-19 and Physical Distancing: The Need for Prevention and Early Intervention”
APPS
(I put *’s next to the ones I use for non-anxiety, non-depression states)
Anxiety Coach: (find on the app store on any mobile device)
Anxiety Reliever: (find on the app store on any mobile device)
Breathe2Relax: (find on the app store on any mobile device)
*Calm: (meditation and visuals to aid in calming the mind): calm.com
*Happify: (science-based activities and games to help calm the mind for coping/thriving): happify.com
*Headspace (meditation as a practice and a coping skill): www.headspace.com
iCBT: (coping with depression and anxiety using cognitive-behavioral theory, find on the app store on any mobile device)
*Insight Timer: (meditation to aid in restful sleep): insighttimer.com
MoodKit: (tools for managing depressed mood, anxiety, and stress— find on the app store on any mobile device)
MoodTools: (self-help app targeting depression) moodtools.org
Panic Relief: (coping tools to move through panic attacks- find on the app store on any mobile device)
Sanvello: (stress, anxiety, and depression management on your terms) sanvello.com
TalkLife: (online peer to peer support network for mental health) talklife.co
What’s Up: (Wanna Bounce Back? Wanna Set Goals? Wanna Drop Anger? Wanna Be Awesome? …find on the app store on any mobile device)