HomeHealth & Wellness after SCICOVID-19 ResourcesMental Health Resources

1.4. Mental Health Resources

COVID 19 Mental Health Information and Resources

 

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

Take care of yourself and your community

Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger. Feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness and uncertainty are normal during a pandemic. Fortunately, being proactive about your mental health can help to keep both your mind and body stronger

Ways to cope with stress

Do meaningful things with your free time. When you can, do things that you enjoy and that help you relax.

 

• Read a book/listen to an audiobook.

• Learn a new skill

• Create art—draw, build something, etc.

• Journal or write

• Play games or do puzzles

• Take an online course—various free online courses available

• Do tasks around your home. Organize, do crafts, garden, rearrange your living space.

• Cook something new with ingredients you have at home

 

Stay connected with others and maintain your social networks Physical distancing (also called social distancing) can change how you usually interact with people you care about. Doing this is essential to lessening the impact of COVID-19. There are many ways you can build a feeling of connection, even if you can’t see people in person or go places you usually would:

 

• Make sure you have the phone numbers and emails of close friends and family

• Stay connected via phone, email, social media and video calls

• Offer to help others if you can

• Ask for help when you need it

• Share how you’re feeling with people you trust

• Regularly call, text or email with family and friends who may have more limited social contact—elderly people, those with disabilities, those who live alone, those who are quarantined or at high risk because of chronic health conditions

• If talking about COVID-19 is affecting your mental health, set boundaries with people about how much and when talk you about COVID-19. Balance this with other topics you’d usually discuss.

• If you are living with other people, communicate expectations about how to live well together while staying home

• Do virtual activities together

 

Do you need help? Know someone who does?

 

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others

Medicare and other insurers are broadening coverage of telehealth (including mental health counseling) services during COVID-19, we urge you to contact your insurer to see what is available in your area. Find a Telemental health provider.

Talkspace www.talkspace.com (Talkspace is therapy for all. Online therapy lets you connect with a licensed therapist from the privacy of your device — at a significantly lower cost than traditional, in-person therapy.)

BetterHelp www.betterhelp.com (Making professional counseling accessible, affordable, convenient - so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help, anytime, anywhere.)

Join the United Spinal Facebook Support Group to meet others and share information and resources!

 

United Spinal offers a national peer mentoring which pairs a mentor with a mentee who is looking for support and advice! This is a great way to get connected with someone who can offer you advice, guidance, resources and real-life experience especially during these difficult times. It’s is nice to speak with someone who understands! Request a peer mentor.

 

Visit our New Mobility COVID-19 Disability Specific Coverage for the latest disability specific recommendations.

 

Online Worship Services:

 

Online Faith Collective offers the following searchable toolOnline Worship Services by Faith Group

United Methodist Church: Where to Worship Online

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:  Resources for Catholics at Home During COVID-19

UJA-Federation of New York offers this list of Virtual Synagogue Services

 

Lastly, for the most up to date information on COVID-19, please visit the CDC.

 

Sources:

www.cdc.gov

https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide

 

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