COVID-19 Resources
According to a recent article in the Washington Post, experts are warning of a wave of mental health problems from the fallout of the new coronavirus. Another article from MedScape offers ideas for combatting an "echo pandemic" of anxiety, alcoholism, and suicide. Now more than ever, it is critically important that we take care of ourselves and look out for our friends and family. Depression, alcoholism, and suicide are all projected to rise. You can learn about the warning signs of these mental health conditions on this website in order to prevent them from manifesting in you or someone you know. Above all it is important to ask for help. See below for helpful support resources as well as useful advice from mental health experts.
National Support Lines
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (English and Espanol). SMS: Text TalkWithUs to 66746
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); Espanol 1-888-628-9454; Deaf + Hard of Hearing 1-800-799-4889; online chat at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
National Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741-741, 24/7
National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-442-HOPE (4673)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), M-F 10am-6pm ET
Online Mental Health Screening
If you are feeling anxious, helpless, or overwhelmed about the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone. One of the quickest and easiest ways to tell if you are experiencing a mental health condition is to take an online screening. This website has 13 confidential screening tools that you can take right now.
NAMI COVID-19 RESOURCE AND INFO GUIDE
This helpful material from the National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of strategies for managing your mental health in the midst of the pandemic. It includes evidence-based practices on alleviating stress and anxiety, finding social connection, and getting help if you've lost someone close to you. It also provides practical information on keeping yourself and your loved ones safe as well as resources for mitigating financial hardship.
Helpful Articles on Managing your Mental Health during a Pandemic
AFSP Mental Health resources: https://afsp.org/mental-health-and-covid-19/
Tools for Teens: https://seizetheawkward.org/coronavirus
Daily Self Care Tips: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/2x2-series
COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub: https://psychhub.com/covid-19/
Grief in Times of Trauma: http://yminstitute.com/grief-in-times-of-trauma/
Help for Students and Families: http://yminstitute.com/what-if-students-are-struggling-more-than-the-norm/
National Disability COVID-19 Healthcare Support and Advocacy Hotline
The Disability Underground Network is a group of disabled advocates and activists focused on COVID-19 related rapid response needs and support for the disability community nationwide. The Disability Underground was created out of the necessity for the survival of our community. They are a rapid response team answering to the needs on the ground. If you or anyone you know is in need of medical advocacy or any other mutual support feel free to call the hotline; it operates 24/7.
State and Local Resources
Alabama
Wings Across Alabama Non-Crisis Peer Support Line: 1-844-999-4647, M-F 2-8pm
CARESS Addiction Helpline: 844-307-1760 and caressinc.com, 24/7
More information available https://mh.alabama.gov/hot-warm-lines/
Georgia
Georgia COVID-19 Emotional Support Line: Provides 24/7 free and confidential assistance to callers needing emotional support or resource information as a result of the pandemic. The Emotional Support Line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals and others who have received training in crisis counseling. 866-399-8938
COVID-19 Hotline: The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. If you believe that you are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. Please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility. 844-442-2681
Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL): For 24/7 access to services and immediate crisis help, 1-800-715-4225
Peer2Peer Warm Line: Provides Georgians the opportunity to receive peer support 24 hours a day. 888-945-1414
CARES Warm Line: Substance Abuse Challenges. Call or Text 8:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. any day. 1-844-326-5400
More information available https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/covid-19
Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-210-8513, 24/7
Mississippi Crisis Line: 601-713-4357
More information and crisis services available http://www.dmh.ms.gov/
Tennessee
TN Statewide Crisis Line: 24/7 call system to help anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471)
Crisis Text Line: text TN to 741-741 to connect to a trained counselor
Information and Resources: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html