Arizona Together This site can help connect you to community resources for employment assistance, utility assistance, financial assistance, childcare resources, homeowner assistance and much more.
AZ 211 Arizona community information and referral services (large database of mental health care organizations)
AZCEND Family Resource Center (for Gilbert and Chandler families)
Mesa CAN (for Mesa families)
Maricopa County Mental Health Crisis Resources
Arizona Food Bank Network - This is the largest database of emergency food options (food banks, pantries, soup kitchen, shelters, and others that distribute emergency food) in Arizona.
Find Rental Assistance - Here is a great link for rental, utility and mortgage assistance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Rental Assistance Finder. You can type in the State, County and Tribal locations for assistance throughout Arizona.
FREE WiFi Map & Technology Help - Connect Arizona has an interactive map that shows the locations of free WiFi hotspots at public libraries, schools, businesses, and other sites. Some sites may offer indoor public access during business hours, others provide access in the parking lot only. Everyone using the sites – outside or inside – is encouraged to practice social distancing precautions, including staying in your vehicle or at least six feet from other users and wearing a mask if necessary.
A note from the American Foundation on Suicide Prevention:
When things feel uncertain or when we don’t generally feel safe, it’s normal to feel stressed. Stress can be a normal reaction, but sometimes it can also take a toll on our mental health. We don’t always know it’s happening. You might feel more on edge than usual, angry, helpless or sad. You might notice that you are more frustrated with others or want to completely avoid any reminders of what is happening. For those of us who already struggle with our mental wellness, we might feel more depressed or less motivated to carry out our daily activities.
It’s important to note that we are not helpless.
We can always choose our response.
If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health:
Separate what is in your control from what is not. There are things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus on those. Practice self-care. Take your vitamins. Limit your consumption of news.
Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. This will be different for everyone, and it’s important not to compare yourself to others.
Get outside in nature. Get outside and take a walk in your neighborhood. It may feel good to both get some fresh air and quality time together with a loved one if you walk together. Exercise also helps both your physical and mental health.
Challenge yourself to stay in the present. Perhaps your worry is compounding—you are not only thinking about what is currently happening, but also projecting into the future. When you find yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened, gently bring yourself back to the present moment. Notice the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensory experiences in your immediate moment and name them. Engaging in mindfulness activities is one way to help stay grounded when things feel beyond your control.
Stay connected and reach out if you need more support. Talk to trusted friends about what you are feeling. If you are feeling particularly anxious or if you are struggling with your mental health, it’s okay to reach out to a mental health professional for support. You don’t have to be alone with your worry and it can be comforting to share what you are experiencing with those trained to help.
We are in this together, and help is always available. If you’re feeling alone and struggling, please reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Parent Guide to Resilience - This is a user friendly resource for building resilience within yourself & your children to get through tough times. Check it out!
These are the tools I am using myself and with my children to get through the stress of this uncertain time.
Mindful Schools
The Calm app is my ultimate go to and they just released a page of free resources, including sleep stories! I know many people that listen to a sleep story almost every night.
Students love Mind Yeti! Mind Yeti is mindfulness sessions for kids to decrease stress and anxiety, adults can practice along with their kids too.
More kids yoga and mindfulness
Some great activities that help support children's emotional well-being include: reading, coloring, drawing, painting, writing a story or a playing, creating, playing outside, organizing your space, and/or trying a new recipe.