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First, at the top of the list: SAMHSA Disaster Helpline and similar links.
Next in the list: Bundled “All Day” Events for organizations with events happening at multiple times throughout the day and/or in many formats or locations; these are bundled into a single listing to prevent endless scrolling. Usually these offer a lookup by zip code or other criteria.
Lastly, Time-Specific Events listed by start time from 12:01am early morning to 11:59pm late night. Warmlines and places east of Oregon’s time zone tend to start earlier (e.g. 4am in Oregon is 7am in New York).
Connecting with someone who cares and listens can make a difference and can help us get through our most difficult moments.
Whether it’s friends, family, or community – Everyone needs Somebody to lean on!
NOTE: Wait time can vary. Usually a response comes pretty quickly in under 5 minutes. Sometimes the wait can be 5 to 15 minutes or longer if there is a disaster or other reason.
Who are the Crisis Counselors? They are trained volunteers who—with the support of full-time Crisis Text Line staff—use active listening, collaborative problem solving, and safety planning to help texters in their moment of crisis.
Crisis doesn’t just mean suicide; it’s any painful emotion for which you need support.
This service is for short term needs and is not a substitute for a friend or professional therapist.
Call 800-923-4357 (24/7/365) or
Text RecoveryNow to 839863 Monday-Friday, 2-6pm PT.
The Alcohol and Drug Helpline serves anyone who needs information, support, or access to resources and treatment for alcohol or drug use. If you or someone you know needs help, the Alcohol and Drug Helpline is free, confidential, and available for calls 24/7/365. The Alcohol and Drug Text Line is open Monday through Friday, 2pm to 6pm PST.
Call or text us for help understanding or dealing with alcohol and drug use or addiction. When you call us, we listen and support. We provide hope, referrals, resources, and information. Our highly trained staff and volunteers provide immediate assistance, non-judgmental listening, and compassionate support that can put you on a path to healing.
If you are under age 21 and would like to talk with a peer about alcohol and drug use or abuse, contact our YouthLine. YouthLine is a free, confidential, teen-to-teen crisis and help line.
Call (877) 968-8491
Text ‘teen2teen’ to 839863
Chat https://www.oregonyouthline.org
We listen. We support. We keep it to ourselves.
Teens are available to help daily from 4-10pm PST (adults are available by phone at all other times!).
YouthLine is a free teen-to-teen crisis support and help line.
YouthLine is confidential to a point- while we will never share conversations had on the lines, we are mandatory reporters. If a young person is unable to agree to safety for themselves or another person, or if abuse is occurring, YouthLine contacts other agencies to ensure the best support and safety for the young person in crisis.
01 – Support Line – Racial Equity Support Line w BIPOC Lived Experience @ 1-503-575-3764 – 8:30am to 5:00pm PST Weekdays M-F
@ Phone
The Racial Equity Support Line is a service led and staffed by people with lived experience of racism. We offer support to those who are feeling the emotional impacts of racist violence and microaggressions, as well as the emotional impacts of immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues.
Many of us experience racism every day.
Unfortunately, we live in a culture where racist acts happen often. From workplaces to housing to healthcare, we know that our communities aren’t getting the same kind of treatment as others.
Experiencing racism can harm our mental wellness.
Whether in small acts, or violent ones, racial bias can have serious emotional impacts. Racism changes how we see the world around us. It’s stressful to worry about how people see us as different or dangerous. It’s exhausting to notice the ways that people treat us as less-than, day in and day out. It’s heartbreaking to turn on the news and learn about more violence against people who look like us.
We get it. And we’re here to talk. To support. To connect.
The person who answers may be a stranger – but we understand what you’re going through. We’ll listen to your situation as you talk through your feelings, and we may offer resources based on what seems most helpful to you.
Call us today at 503-575-3764.
This line is available weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.
If you have questions or want to reach the Director of Equity Initiatives, please email Donna Harrell at DonnaH@linesforlife.org.
Toll-Free Access
If you need toll-free access, call any line at Lines for Life and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line during its operating hours.
For example, you can call Lines for Life / National Suicide Prevention Line @ 1-877-273-8255 and ask to be transferred to the Racial Equity Support Line between 8:30am and 5pm PST.
04 – Resources – Families and Children Facing Tragic Events – Racial Stress – Racism – Hate Crimes, List by Children’s Mental Health Network
Resources for Families and Children Facing Tragic Events
Racial Stress – Racism – Hate Crimes
Helpful Resources to Address the Mass Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Many thanks to Michelle Zabel, MSS, Assistant Dean, and Director, The Institute for Innovation and Implementation, for compiling this list of resources in response to the horrific mass shooting in Texas earlier this week.
Helping Young People Cope With Mental Health Challenges
Vox Media’s NowThis is linking arms with Ken Burns and PBS to share an upcoming documentary titled “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.” Scenes from the forthcoming film will be shared across NowThis social platforms throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May. NowThis will host a live TikTok conversation about the topic, as well. The goal, Burns said, is “to get this material out to young people around the country.” The film itself will debut at the end of June on PBS.
Uplift by Youth Era: Teaching Youth Peer Support Skills
More than 500 youth signed up for the most recent Uplift event! Studied by the University of Oxford and co-designed with young adults, Uplift by Youth Era is the future of peer support. Empower a young person in your life to be who they need, and apply to join the next Uplift training in June!
Randolph “Randy” Muck September 14, 1955 to April 21, 2021 in Memoriam
On the first anniversary of his death, several of us who knew and worked with Randy write this tribute to remember and honor his impact on so many people. Randy provided much-needed leadership from within the federal government to develop and disseminate evidence-based substance use treatments designed for adolescents and their families. He was successful because he had a rare ability to connect with all the groups important to improving adolescent treatment: provider organizations, schools, juvenile justice, counselors, federal agency decision-makers, researchers, private foundations, and most importantly—adolescents and their families. He saw how these groups could align their different interests and collaborate. This, in turn, helped youth, families, and systems of care in ways that continue to have an impact.
HHS Awards Nearly $25 Million to Expand Access to School-Based Health Services The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), recently announced nearly $25 million will be made available to improve and strengthen access to school-based health services in communities across the country. Awards will support local partnerships between schools and health centers to provide children and youth with the comprehensive physical and mental health care they need.
Investing in Prevention Makes Good Financial Sense Primary prevention—including screening and intervention before negative health outcomes occur—is relatively inexpensive. The higher-risk behaviors it is designed to reduce are so costly to the healthcare system that it is staggeringly wasteful not to make sure that screening and treatment referrals are readily implemented and faithfully reimbursed by insurers and that interventions are convenient for parents and their children.
PAX Good Behavior Game Speaking of prevention…
The PAX Good Behavior Game is an evidence-based universal preventive intervention applied by teachers in the classroom. This evidence-based practice consists of research-based strategies with origins in behavioral science, neuroscience, and cultural wisdom that operate together to improve children’s self-regulation. Teachers implement these strategies as part of their daily routines in carrying out tasks such as getting students’ attention, selecting students for tasks, transitioning from one task to the next, working as part of a team, limiting problematic behavior, and reinforcing pro-social behavior.
HHS Launches New Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a new, confidential, toll-free hotline for expecting and new moms experiencing mental health challenges. Those who contact the hotline can receive a range of support, including brief interventions from trained culturally and trauma-informed counselors and referrals to both community-based and telehealth providers as needed. Callers also will receive evidence-based information and referrals to support groups and other community resources.
Six Things You Need To Know About Music and Health A growing body of research suggests that listening to or performing music affects the brain in ways that may help promote health and manage disease symptoms. More justification for the plethora of music videos posted in Friday Update!
Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech Aaahhhh!!! Less than 20 days!!! Well? Have you registered for the 2022 Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech summit on June 8-9th yet? Can’t make it? Wondering if you can access all of the sessions with our hundreds of speakers after June 8-9th? YES, but ONLY if you register in advance. So, you should probably get on that.
Building a More Equitable Juvenile Justice System for Everyone Racial inequities regarding the policing of children, and the subsequent disparities in their treatment within the juvenile justice system, have been problems in this country for far too long. It is encouraging that many states and counties are not only recognizing these issues but are taking action. The CSG Justice Center is committed to providing research-driven, data-informed solutions to our partners to continue building safer and stronger communities for everyone, especially our youth.
Disruptions to School and Home Life Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021 Young people have experienced disruptions to school and home life since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. From January to June 2021, CDC conducted the Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES), an online survey of a probability-based, nationally representative sample of U.S. public- and private-school students in grades 9–12. ABES data were used to estimate the prevalence of disruptions and adverse experiences during the pandemic, including parental and personal job loss, homelessness, hunger, emotional or physical abuse by a parent or other adult at home, receipt of telemedicine, and difficulty completing schoolwork. Prevalence estimates are presented for all students by sex, race and ethnicity, grade, sexual identity, and difficulty completing schoolwork.
CDC Survey Finds the Pandemic Had a Big Impact on Teens’ Mental Health According to a survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than four in 10 teens report feeling “persistently sad or hopeless” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls were twice as likely to experience mental health troubles compared to boys. And LGBTQ students were hit the hardest. The CDC’s findings were gathered from online surveys from a sample of 7,700 US students during the first six months of 2021.
New Initiative to Define Policy Recommendations for Embedding Equity into 988 The Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity & Beacon Health Options are joining forces to create and develop an equitable crisis response for the future of behavioral health service delivery ahead of the July 2022 launch of 988.
State Policymakers Can Support Equitable School-based Telemental Health Services This brief presents five ways state policymakers can support equitable school-based telemental health services, with recommendations based on relevant policy context, existing research, and—in some cases—feedback from interviews with five TMH providers who testified to on-the-ground experience with these interventions.
In times of community or world-wide crisis, it’s easy to assume that young children don’t know what’s going on. But one thing’s for sure — children are very sensitive to how their parents feel. They’re keenly aware of the expressions on their parents’ faces and the tone of their voices. Children can sense when their parents are really worried, whether they’re watching the news or talking about it with others. No matter what children know about a “crisis,” it’s especially scary for children to realize that their parents are scared.
Some Scary, Confusing Images
The way that news is presented on television can be quite confusing for a young child. The same video segment may be shown over and over again through the day, as if each showing was a different event. Someone who has died turns up alive and then dies again and again. Children often become very anxious since they don’t understand much about videotape replays, closeups, and camera angles. Any televised danger seems close to home to them because the tragic scenes are taking place on the TV set in their own living room. Children can’t tell the difference between what’s close and what’s far away, what’s real and what’s pretend, or what’s new and what’s re-run.
The younger the children are, the more likely they are to be interested in scenes of close-up faces, particularly if the people are expressing some strong feelings. When there’s tragic news, the images on TV are most often much too graphic and disturbing for young children.
“Who will take care of me?”
In times of crisis, children want to know, “Who will take care of me?” They’re dependent on adults for their survival and security. They’re naturally self-centered. They need to hear very clearly that their parents are doing all they can to take care of them and to keep them safe. They also need to hear that people in the government and other grown-ups they don’t even know are working hard to keep them safe, too.
Helping Children Feel More Secure
Play is one of the important ways young children have of dealing with their concerns. Of course, playing about violent news can be scary and sometimes unsafe, so adults need to be nearby to help redirect that kind of play into nurturing themes, such as a hospital for the wounded or a pretend meal for emergency workers.
When children are scared and anxious, they might become more dependent, clingy, and afraid to go to bed at night. Whining, aggressive behavior, or toilet “accidents” may be their way of asking for more comfort from the important adults in their lives. Little by little, as the adults around them become more confident, hopeful and secure, our children probably will, too.
Turn Off the TV
When there’s something tragic in the news, many parents get concerned about what and how to tell their children. It’s even harder than usual if we’re struggling with our own powerful feelings about what has happened. Adults are sometimes surprised that their own reactions to a televised crisis are so strong, but great loss and devastation in the news often reawaken our own earlier losses and fears – even some we think we might have “forgotten”
It’s easy to allow ourselves to get drawn into watching televised news of a crisis for hours and hours; however, exposing ourselves to so many tragedies can make us feel hopeless, insecure, and even depressed. We help our children and ourselves if we’re able to limit our own television viewing. Our children need us to spend time with them – away from the frightening images on the screen.
Talking and Listening
Even if we wanted to, it would be impossible to give our children all the reasons for such things as war, terrorists, abuse, murders, major fires, hurricanes, and earthquakes. If they ask questions, our best answer may be to ask them, “What do you think happened?” If the answer is “I don’t know,” then the simplest reply might be something like, “I’m sad about the news, and I’m worried. But I love you, and I’m here to care for you.”
If we don’t let children know it’s okay to feel sad and scared, they may think something is wrong with them when they do feel that way. They certainly don’t need to hear all the details of what’s making us sad or scared, but if we can help them accept their own feelings as natural and normal, their feelings will be much more manageable for them.
Angry feelings are part of being human, especially when we feel powerless. One of the most important messages we can give our children is, “It’s okay to be angry, but it’s not okay to hurt ourselves or others.” Besides giving children the right to their anger, we can help them find constructive things to do with their feelings. This way, we’ll be giving them useful tools that will serve them all their life, and help them to become the worlds’ future peacemakers — the world’s future “helpers.”
Helpful Hints
Do your best to keep the television off, or at least limit how much your child sees of any news event.
Try to keep yourself calm. Your presence can help your child feel more secure.
Give your child extra comfort and physical affection, like hugs or snuggling up together with a favorite book. Physical comfort goes a long way towards providing inner security. That closeness can nourish you, too.
Try to keep regular routines as normal as possible. Children and adults count on their familiar pattern of everyday life.
Plan something that you and your child enjoy doing together, like taking a walk, going on a picnic, having some quiet time, or doing something silly. It can help to know there are simple things in life that can help us feel better, in good times and in bad.
Even if children don’t mention what they’ve seen or heard in the news, it can help to ask what they think has happened. If parents don’t bring up the subject, children can be left with their misinterpretations. You may be really surprised at how much your child has heard from others.
Focus attention on the helpers, like the police, firemen, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and volunteers. It’s reassuring to know there are many caring people who are doing all they can to help others in this world.
Let your child know if you’re making a donation, going to a town meeting, writing a letter or e-mail of support, or taking some other action. It can help children to know that adults take many different active roles and that we don’t give in to helplessness in times of worldwide crisis.
What do we tell our children?
How do we reassure them of their own safety?
At The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon, we’ve provided grief support groups for children, teens, young adults and their parents or adult caregivers since 1982.
Based on our experience, here are some things for adults to keep in mind as you struggle with how to talk with children following tragic events, such as natural disasters, plane crashes, or school shootings.
1. Don’t project your fears onto your children. They take their cues from the adults around them.
You can’t hear the news about children being murdered or communities devastated by natural disasters without thinking about how you’d feel if it happened to your family, friends, or hometown. The outpouring of care and empathy for the families who lost loved ones will be powerful, and…we all know it could have been our friends, our child, our family and community members who died or were injured.
Identifying with the senselessness and randomness makes us all feel more vulnerable. But we should remember that children don’t always see things the same way that adults do, and it won’t be helpful to them for us to fall apart. They need to see that we care, that we feel terrible about this tragedy, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. They will take their cues from our behavior.
It’s okay to show emotion. We can model for children that feeling sad, scared, and upset is normal after tragedies. But we don’t want to overwhelm them with our emotions, or put them in the position of having to ‘parent,’ or take care of, the adults around them. Make sure you also model taking care of yourself, by sharing with trusted and supportive adult friends, eating (and drinking) healthfully.
2. Try to limit their access to the recurring news and exposure to the tragedy over and over.
Over-exposure to the graphic and emotional news can be overwhelming for children and can cause unnecessary anxiety and fear. Some children who repeatedly watched the footage of planes crashing into the towers on 9/11 thought it was happening again and again. Some children (and some adults) may have difficulty getting graphic scenes and images out of their minds. Too much exposure can fuel their fear, so don’t let them sit and watch the news over and over. Better yet, set the example of not doing so yourself as well.
3. Understand that you can’t completely shield them from what happened.
It would be next to impossible to hide these events from children, as much as we wish we could. You might be able to shield your own child in your home, for example, by not turning on (or owning) a television, but you can’t protect your children from hearing about it from other kids. The fact is, they will hear about it, so although they don’t “need” to know about it, pretending we can shield them is magical thinking.
That said, you don’t need to give them more information than they can handle, or more than they’re asking for. A simple, “Did they talk about what happened in _____ today at school?” would be a good starter. They need to know that you’re not trying to hide the truth from them, that you’re open to talking about it, but that you’re also not forcing them to do so.
4. Model truth-telling and build trust with your children by letting them hear things, even hard things, from you directly.
Eight days after the 9/11 attacks, I was meeting in small groups with pre-school workers in New York City, talking about how to respond to the young children in their care about the events. A man asked to speak to me privately after one of the trainings, and asked for my advice around his 7-year-old daughter. For the last week, since September 12th, she had been having stomach aches and difficulty sleeping. He said it was not tied to the events of 9/11 because, “We don’t have a television.” As his story unfolded it was evident that he did not want to have to explain to his child why people would do such horrible things, a normal dilemma that we face as parents and adults. This child was experiencing physical reactions, as it turned out, not primarily because of her reaction to the events of 9/11, but because she was unable to share her fears and concerns and questions in her own home, faced with her parents’ denial.
Here are some principles to keep in mind as you talk with children:
1. There is no one typical reaction one can or should expect from children.
Their responses will vary all over the ‘emotional’ map, from seeming disinterest to nightmares, eating issues, and anxiety. How any specific child will respond will depend on their age, previous experience with death and loss, and their personality style. Fearful children will tend to worry; quiet children may keep their feelings to themselves; those who want to appear unfazed may exhibit a sense of bravado or lack of caring. Of course, children directly affected – those who had a family member die; those who witnessed the tragedy; those who had friends die – will tend to have longer-term reactions and needs. Watch for changes in behavior, or concerning trends. While it would be normal to have heightened anxiety and sleeplessness, any concerning behavior or troubling symptoms should be taken seriously, and if warranted, professional help sought.
2. Many children will have an increased sense of fear about their safety.
Understandably. So will many adults. After a shooting at an Oregon mall in December 2012, the news outlets were filled with people who said they’d never take their children there again. Others said they’d return as soon as it opened in order to support the stores and employees who had experienced the traumatic events, and whose livelihoods were going to suffer as a result of the several day closure. Some runners in the Boston Marathon vowed to return; others said they would never do so again.
While we can’t guarantee to our children that nothing bad will ever happen to them, we can provide assurance that these events are relatively rare, and that we will do everything we can to keep them safe. Children may have many questions about the events, particularly about natural disasters. Answer their questions with language that fits their developmental stage. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer to a question. If it’s a question that might have an answer, offer to look up more information. You can also ask children what they think the answer is as they often have thoughts and ideas they want to share with you. In the case of natural disasters, if your child is fearful of something like that happening in your community, talk with them about the safety plan that you have in place for your family and home. You can also look into what community safety measures are in place and whatever elements are relevant with your children. Many children will be reassured knowing that there are specific, tangible things they and your family can do if something occurs. Some examples include, picking a meeting place, keeping flashlights in every bedroom, talking about where you will keep emergency water and food.
3. Children want, need, and deserve the truth.
In over 30 years of providing grief support to thousands of children and teens at The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families, we have never heard a child say, “I’m glad I was lied to.” Many, however, struggle with anger and lack of trust toward parents or other adults who lied to them. When we don’t tell the truth, they learn that we cannot be trusted. As difficult as it can be at times, and as horrendous as the truth may be, children want, need, and deserve the truth. Being able to talk openly and honestly with your children about tragic events and other losses, creates a foundation of trust, enabling them to come to you in the future with their questions, fears, and concerns.
How race-related stress affects you and your relationship with your child
What effect does racism have on your health and well-being?
Not only does racism impact you as a parent, it can also impact how you interact with your children. Experiences of racism build on each other and can chip away at your emotional, physical and spiritual resources as a parent, contributing to race-related stress. Race-related stress can make it hard to have the space needed to take care of yourself as a parent, which reduces the emotional space you need to adequately take care of your children.
Physical Effects
Physical Effects can include increased hypertension, illness and risky behaviors such as substance use.
Emotional Effects
Emotional effects can include depression, anxiety, anger, irritability and aggression.
Spiritual Effects
Spiritual effects can include a decreased sense of purpose, lack of connection with the larger community, isolation from larger social groups and reduced involvement in communal activities that you enjoy.
Potential reactions to racial stress or trauma
Insecure Feelings
Feelings of shame and lack of confidence due to feeling that a situation cannot be changed.
Lack of Trust
Feeling detached or a lack of trust for others due to experiencing multiple losses or letdowns. This can make it very difficult to seek out help and to identify potential safe sources of support.
Triggers
Reminders of the event, such as particular people or situations, can also trigger strong emotional or physical responses (e.g., crying or rapid heartbeat).
Difficulty Controlling Emotions
Difficulty controlling emotional responses (going from “zero to one hundred”) can occur as the body helps you adapt to potentially unsafe situations, making you feel constantly on “alert.”
The body’s response to the experience of racism can make accessing resources to cope with the situation difficult. Race-related stress is unique in that it threatens psychological resources that are needed to cope and fulfill basic needs such as financial support, housing, access to jobs, etc.
When your body is in stress mode, it is geared up to help you and your child survive, which sometimes leads to impulsive decisions. If you live in a chronic state of stress related to racism, you can start to engage in survival coping. Survival coping can help you to deal with very hard or potentially life-threatening situations. However, if you continue to exist in this mode long-term, it can make it difficult to enjoy being in the moment with your child and can reduce your ability to feel safe and in control.
What impact can racial stress have on your parenting?
Experiencing race-related stress can also impact the quality of parenting relationships in the following ways:
Impostor syndrome
When you are exposed to racism repeatedly, you often start doubting yourself and can feel like you are an imposter in dominant culture settings or in settings where you feel as though you do not belong. Your inner thoughts might sound something like: “Am I being judged?” “Am I worthy?” “I got lucky.” “I only got this because I am Black.”
Being overly alert (hypervigilance)
Experiencing racial stress can make you more aware of potential dangers and negative experiences that can occur. This, in turn, can make the experience of parenting even more stressful. When you interact with your children, you can sometimes be reminded of negative race-related experiences that you had when you were a child. This reminder can amp up emotional responses, or hyperarousal, making it hard for you to “keep your cool” and be open to flexible problem solving.
“Helicopter parenting” (monitoring in fear)
These experiences of racism and unwarranted blame or lack of acceptance can make you want to protect your children so much, that you don’t allow them to explore in the way that they need to. You may shelter them from failures, which everyone needs to experience in order to learn how to manage everyday life. You may tend to be overly cautious or suspicious. Examples can include not allowing your children to have sleepovers or go to the park, even with your supervision.
Difficulty regulating emotions
When your past influences your emotional state, it can affect your emotional responses to both big and minor stressors with children, such as when they misbehave. This, in turn, can lead to being overprotective or overuse of physical discipline, as a means of survival.
For children, having parents who can keep perspective (stay cool) when children are upset, or misbehaving is very important. Likewise, it is important to stay calm when disciplining a child, otherwise discipline may go overboard. Both of these things can be hard if you are having difficulty controlling your emotions.
Avoidance
Avoiding situations that are related to racism can be a needed strategy to survive; such as instances that may involve violence or threat to yourself or your family. Sometimes you may avoid reminders of past experiences due to the pain or discomfort they cause.
If you find yourself avoiding strong feelings or situations with your child that bring up painful memories, it may make it hard to show affection and support for your child. It may even make it difficult to know how to provide emotional support for your child during times of stress. For instance, if your child brings up their own experience of oppression or an event in their life reminds you of something from your own childhood.
Mistrusting others
Racism can lead to distrust or mistrust of other communities. Internalized racism is when you begin to accept negative messages about your own abilities and inherent worth by the dominant group in society.
When you use society’s norms to judge yourself, you can feel depressed, unworthy and just not good enough. You are taught in many ways to take these feelings and paint them onto another group.
Intra and interracial violence, contention among disenfranchised communities or color, and the way the media conveys information about people of color, contribute to this.
This kind of coping can make you more vulnerable to racism, because on some level you may believe in racial hierarchy and difference when you belittle other groups. And when you show your children that it is right to discriminate against certain other groups, you make them more vulnerable to discrimination that they face.
Minimizing racism
Racism is overwhelming, as is the history of violence. You are sometimes taught that accepting this and minimizing racism is the only thing you can do. But when you ignore racism, and accept powerlessness, you encourage your kids to internalize racism. This can lead to increased levels of depression, anxiety and externalizing behaviors (e.g., engaging in risky behaviors, such as alcohol or substance use).
When you believe that you should be able to handle and manage it all without a break or without asking for help, you are at increased risk for health problems and can miss important cues about your well-being and safety.
Self-blame
Experiencing chronically unfair and dangerous discriminatory practices due to race can lead to feelings of low worth. For parents, this can also lead to a questioning of your parenting choices and abilities.
Unbalanced Racial and Ethnic Socialization (RES)
Unbalanced messaging or communication about race and ethnicity occurs when you only promote messages of mistrust, preparation for bias, or only give racial pride messages to your children.
Strategies to deal with racial stress and practice self-care.
So, what can you do to mitigate racial stress?
As parents, it is important to develop positive identities and share your cultural identities with your children. Positive cultural identity and advocacy are protective factors against racism, which can help to reduce and prevent racial stress.
There are many other ways to cope with stress and everyone has different preferences. Reducing stress can also allow you to model healthy coping strategies for your child. Here are some suggestions you can try.
Build or access a support network
Incorporate traditions at home
Get some exercise
Deep breathing
Journal
Limit your media intake
Counseling/therapy
Spirituality
Podcast
You are not the only person dealing with race-related stress and connecting with other people with similar experiences and feelings can help you to successfully navigate racism.
Talk with family and trusted friends specifically about racialized events that have occurred and how to handle them
Start or join a group with others who may have had similar experiences and similar interests, like a book club that reads books by Black authors, or spend time with other African American parents who have the same concerns you do about how your children are treated at the school.
Seek out activities that you can do with your friends or family (e.g., exercising, cooking, watching a family show or movie together, etc.)
Legislation
Much of the debate today is around gun control. Below are links to two bills currently pending in Congress.
The guide complements the training manual. It has been developed in collaboration with organizations already delivering Peer2Peer. It provides insights and ideas on the different ways to run and facilitate the course.
Hollie, a Peer Worker with Penumbra, tells us what peer support means to her. This short animation is a powerful way to show the value and impact of peer support. It is also available on our YouTube channel where you can watch, download or share the film.
A short film that describes Peer2Peer as a route to recovery through peer support training and employment. This link takes you to our YouTube channel where you can watch, download or share the film.
Meetings in Spanish – Hearing Impaired Meetings – Online & In-Person – Hot Lines – Phone Apps
Looking for a local AA meeting?
Meeting lists are provided by local Districts, Intergroups and Central Offices.
You can use the district map page to find the District you’re interested in and then visit the meeting list and/or website for that district. If a District has no website, the nearest Intergroup or Central Office may be listed.
Hotline phone numbers listed below may also help.
If interested, you can download the meeting guide app from following the links below.
NOTE: Districts, Intergroups and Central Offices are independent service entities; Oregon Area 58 is not responsible for the content of their web sites.
Higher resolution maps of the District boundaries in Portland and in Oregon are also available for download.
Applegate, Ashland, Butte Falls, Central Point,
Eagle Point, Gold Hill, Jacksonville, Medford,
Phoenix, Prospect, Rogue River, Ruch, Talent,
& White City
ALZConnected – Online Support Groups and Community – Daily
ALZConnected® (alzconnected.org), powered by the Alzheimer’s Association®, is a free online community for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s or another dementia, including:
People with the disease.
Caregivers.
Family members.
Friends.
Individuals who have lost someone to Alzheimer’s.
Support groups will be hosted via phone or video conference instead of in-person. Meeting schedules will be assessed on a month-to-month basis.
The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) is available around the clock, 365 days a year. Through this free service, specialists and master’s-level clinicians offer confidential support and information to people living with the disease, caregivers, families and the public.
For Live Help Line Chat Click on the Link Below
MORE PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT GROUPS
The Alzheimer’s Association is here for you, day and night. Our programs and support services connect you with peers and professionals to help you make the plans and adjustments necessary to live your best life for as long as possible. Use these links to learn more about our offerings:
Our Vision: A world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®.
Our Mission: The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
Care and Support
We work on a national and local level to provide care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Research
As the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research, the Association is committed to advancing vital research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
Advocacy
The Association is the leading voice for Alzheimer’s disease advocacy, fighting for critical Alzheimer’s research and care initiatives at the state and federal level.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
Lines for Life Military Help Line: Call 1-888-457-4838
Senior Loneliness Line: Call 503-200-1633
The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Veteran Resource Navigator
The coronavirus pandemic has changed our world. But it has not changed Oregon’s commitment to those who served and fought for us.
This comprehensive online resource guide is meant to assist veterans from all walks of life in finding the benefits that are most useful to their unique circumstances at this time.
These benefits and resources are yours, earned through your faithful and honorable service to our nation; they are also an investment in the state of Oregon, because your success is our success.
Oregon veterans are a diverse community, but we are united in our shared service, and this has never been truer than it is today. We are all in this together, and we are not defeated. We will stand again, united.
If you are a veteran or family member with specific questions not addressed here, or if you need other direct assistance, please contact an ODVA Resource Navigator by calling (503) 373-2085 or toll-free at 1-800-692-9666.
Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs 700 Summer St NE Salem, OR 97301
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned. Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy, so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.
Print out your VA Welcome Kit
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.
Download your VA Welcome Kit
Feel free to share this guide with friends or family members who need help with their benefits too. You can print out copies for yourself and others:
Find out if you’re eligible for VA home loan programs to help you buy, build, repair, or keep a home. If you have a service-connected disability, check if you qualify for a housing grant to help you live more independently.
Explore VA life insurance options for Veterans, service members, and families. Manage your policy online, file claims for benefits, and access helpful resources.
Get help planning a burial in a VA national cemetery, order a headstone or other memorial item to honor a Veteran’s service, and apply for survivor and dependent benefits.
Learn about benefits for spouses and dependents of a Veteran or service member, including added support if you’re caring for a Veteran with a service-connected disability.
Other Resources Available to Veterans and Military Service Members
The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a resource website that connects wounded warriors, Service Members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers to programs and services that support them. The NRD is hosted, managed, maintained, sustained and developed by the Defense Health Agency’s Recovery Coordination Program.
It provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. Visitors can find information on a variety of topics that supply an abundance of vetted resources. For help finding resources on the site, visit the How to Use this site section of the NRD. Please see below for some of our major categories.
The National Recovery Directory is a partnership among the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. Information contained within the NRD is from federal, state, and local government agencies; Veteran and military service organizations; non-profit and community-based organizations; academic institutions and professional associations that provide assistance to wounded warriors and their families.
GLOSSARIES
Find definitions to commonly used terms in VA, DoD, DOL, and other federal government agencies.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund offers a Caregiver Support Program encompassing a variety of activities, education, support tools and resource connections designed to assist the spouses, parents, siblings, extended family members, or close friends who drop everything to care for a catastrophically wounded, critically ill or injured service member. The Caregiver Support Program provides different types of events to suit the busy schedules of our caregivers.
Join MVCN with special guest Karen Hetherington, Director of Case Management for the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a non-profit that assists catastrophically wounded, ill and injured service members. Ms. Hetherington will share about Semper Fi & America’s Fund’s programs and answer questions.
Come learn how Semper Fi & America’s Fund can help you!
**Please SAVE your confirmation email as it contains information to join the Zoom group.** Check your spam or junk folder if you do not receive an email confirmation from Eventbrite.Find other peer support opportunities on our Caregiver Calendar on the MVCN website. https://www.redcross.org/caregiversVisit the safe and secure, caregiver-only Online Community available 24/7 for support. https://mvcn.force.com/login.
DDA was founded by a highly decorated veteran, Corbett Monica. After serving in the Vietnam War, like other veterans, returning to home only find anguish, trauma, and remorse. After suffering from severe PTSD, OCD, survivors guilt, and addictions, Corbett found a way to transcend from destructive means with the inception of Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA) providing hope and recovery through our peer support which is now his legacy.
Culturally responsive DDA’s Veterans meetings are intended to provide a safe venue to be open about depression, post-traumatic stress, alcohol and drug use, abuse, and addiction as well as serve as a resource for navigation of the telehealth system, It will encourage healthy solutions for adapting to the changing times. Specifically. the project will Improve access for Veterans and military service members to dual diagnosis services through the creation of on-line recovery support groups and on-line DDA meetings.
This project will serve Veterans throughout the state and is beginning outreach through Veterans publications, local newspapers, the VA, Veterans websites, list services, and anything else that will help identify Oregonians who can use the services.
Military kids face unique psychological challenges related to military life. Compared to their non-military peers, military kids are many times more likely to move multiple times during their school careers and have a parent absent for long periods of time in potentially dangerous locations – factors that can greatly stress military kids’ mental health.
The Defense Health Agency maintains two online resources to support military children use the links povided below:
Military Kids Connect is an online community specifically for military children ages 6-17, and provides access to age-appropriate resources for military kids and also for parents, caregivers, and educators to help them understand and support military kids at home and in school.
Sesame Street for Military Families is a free, bilingual (English and Spanish) website where families can find information and multimedia resources on the topics of military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression.
AM – All Month – Eating and/or Body Image Struggles – Resources for Peer Support, Recovery & Wellness
Food addiction can take many forms. Symptoms include obesity, under eating, and bulimia. People often think of the term “eating disorders” when describing the disease of food addiction. Food addicts are obsessed with food, body size, and weight. We spend our days thinking about when and what we are going to eat or not eat. Binging, purging, and dieting are a way of life. The bottom line is that we can’t stop thinking about eating. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) offers relief from the symptoms of eating disorders and guidance on living in recovery.
ANAD – National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
https://anad.org/get-help/
ANAD is committed to providing free, peer support services to anyone struggling with an eating disorderOur free, eating disorders Helpline is available for treatment referrals, support and encouragement, and general questions about eating disorders.
NEDA: External link list of virtual support groups for different time zones offered by multiple organizations dedicated to eating disorder recovery across the United States.
Around the Dinner Table Forum, FEAST: External linkonline community of parents of eating disorder patients around the world. [note, I would say parents/caregivers of family members or persons experiencing eating struggles or struggling with eating, not patients!]
Meeting Location Virtual through our community website. Members must first sign up for a free membership to our website, and then they can register for a group. (https://eatingdisorders.dukehealth.org/)
Friends & Family support groups are 1.5 hours and are open to loved ones of individuals who are experiencing and/or on the journey from eating disorders.
18percent is a free online community based off Slack, where one can receive peer to peer support. 18percent has channels on various mental health issues, one of which is eating disorders. They offer free, 24/7 eating disorder support in a moderated environment. For more information, click the link below and sign up.
The main aim of EDRC is to increase awareness and understanding of eating disorders for the public and for health professionals; to promote early diagnosis, effective treatment, and recovery; and to advocate for mental health parity legislation and effective insurance coverage. We collaborate with other organizations such as National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in our effort to bring the needed attention to eating disorders.
The Lotus Collaborative: Online Eating Disorder Recovery Support Group
This group is for anyone struggling with an eating disorder to get recovery support as well as to practice giving recovery support to others. While this is not a therapy group, it is a supportive virtual environment in which to meet others working towards recovery, build relationships, gain insight, and practice recovery skills. Everyone working towards eating disorder recovery is welcome.
The Lotus Collaborative hosts a free online support group for the friends and family members supporting a loved one through eating disorder recovery. This group is a space for family members and friends to get support, ask questions and connect with others in the supporting role.
Local, state, national and LGBTQ crisis and support resources.
CRISIS & SUPPORT LINES
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
If you or a friend are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are having a crisis and need support, contact Oregon’s Lines for Life: 800-273-8255.
Lines for Life will connect you with 24-hr crisis lines that provide crisis intervention and targeted support for youth, families, older adults, military service members and veterans for mental health crises and support, suicide prevention, help with addiction and recovery and racial equity and support – in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority.
Oregon YouthLine is a peer crisis line for youth ages 21 and younger. Teens are available to help daily, 4 to 10 p.m. Pacific Time (off-hour calls answered by adult call counselors) or chat online at the YouthLine website.
TrevorChat is available 24/7 days a week, or you can text the word “START” to 678-678, available 24/7.
CHAT SPACE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
Q Chat Space is an online community chat for LGBTQ youth and teens who are questioning their identity, ages 13-19, facilitated by staff and volunteers from LGBTQ community centers around the country. Provides a place to connect and get access to information and resources. Q Chat Space is a program of CenterLink, the national organization for LGBTQ community centers.
Oregon Child Abuse Hotline – to report child abuse and neglect call: 855-503-SAFE (7233), available 24/7.
A parent / caregiver support service that provides peer support, access to services and referrals for parents and caregivers with a child or youth experiencing emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. The warmline is a project of Reach Out Oregon and the Oregon Family Support Network.
OREGON LGBTQ RESOURCES & SUPPORTS
Selected resources listed on this website focus on providing services and support to reduce mental health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ young people.
RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR
Asian Pacific Island Pride
Non-profit organization that serves LGBTQ API communities in greater Portland and provides safe and supportive environments to celebrate, educate and bring communities together. apipride@gmail.com
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
A multi-service agency that provides a wide range of services and supports for Native American children, youth, adults and families, including Two-Spirit and LGBTQ support groups and events.
PDX Latinx Pride – Pride events in Portland for the Latinx LGBTQ community, families and allies. Central facebook page provides a space to connect throughout the year – www.facebook.com/PDXlatinxpride
Portland Two-Spirit Society
P2SS is a social, cultural, educational, resource group for the LGBTIQ Native American/Alaskan Natives and their families; to come together and share, connect, reclaim, and restore culture and community.
Sankofa Collective Northwest
Sankofa provides support, education and advocacy for Black families, friends and LGBTQ people through monthly support groups, faith outreach, mini-grants and an annual Portland Black Pride celebration. Sankofa began as the first African American chapter of PFLAG in the U.S. and relaunched as the Sankofa Collective Northwest in 2016.
SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
SMYRC’s on-site center in Portland provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities such as art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, resource referral, counseling, and education. Through Bridge 13, SMYRC provides LGBTQ trainings, educational workshops and consultations for social support staff, health professionals, youth providers, and educators. SMRYC also helps families and youth find local resources in their communities that support LGBTQ youth and families.
Oregon Queer Youth Summit
A conference held by and for queer and trans identified youth and their allies from the state of Oregon. Leadership development and organizing events happens year-round.
Oregon Safe Schools & Communities Coalition (OSSCC)
A coalition of public and private organizations in Oregon that supports community efforts to reduce youth suicide and risk behaviors for LGBTQ youth. Provides education, data collection, and support services to create safe schools and communities for youth, teachers, and families.
GSA (Genders & Sexualities Alliance) School Clubs GSA school clubs are available in many Oregon schools to provide support for LGBTQ students and allies and to provide education and events to promote safer schools and communities. Individual GSAs are listed by county and by school. (See National listings for information on GSA Network – a national organization that provides education and training to help students and local GSA clubs in schools to advocate for safer schools and policies to protect LGBTQ students from harassment and victimization.)
GLSEN Oregon
State chapter of the national organization that works to ensure safe schools for all students. GLSEN’s state chapter supports students and educators to adopt LGBTQ-affirming public policy, plan teacher trainings, and hold events for students, educators, parents, and allies.
Basic Rights Oregon Fierce Families Network
Advocates for public policy that meets the needs of a breadth of the LGBTQ communities. Provides and distributes resources to help families understand their LGBTQ+ children.
Pride Foundation Scholarship Program
Community foundation that funds LGBTQ programs and supports in the Northwest, and funds scholarships for LGBTQ student leaders.
Cheldelin Middle School Pride Club
Cheldelin Middle School sponsored group that provides a confidential, safe space for students to support each other.
Clackamas High School GSA
A Clackamas High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
The Living Room
A safe space that provides peer support and youth drop-in services, resources to promote personal growth and leadership skills, to build relationships and promote positive development of LGBTQ youth and allies.
Youth ERA Clackamas
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.
CLATSOP COUNTY
Astoria High School Rainbow Alliance (GSA)
An Astoria High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
Lower Columbia Q Center
A community center that provides a range of resources and support activities for LGBTQ youth and adults, including youth support and educational activities.
Seaside High School GSA
A Seaside High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
COLUMBIA COUNTY
Scappoose High School FLATH/GSA
A Scappoose High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
COOS COUNTY
PFLAG Coos Bay/South Coast
A Coos Bay/South Coast chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
Youth ERA Coos
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.
CROOK COUNTY
PFLAG Central Oregon
A Central Oregon chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
PFLAG Prineville
A Prineville chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
PFLAG Curry County
Curry County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
DESCHUTES COUNTY
PFLAG Central Oregon
A Central Oregon chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
Mountain View High School GSA
A Mountain View High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
PFLAG Douglas County
A Douglas County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
HOOD RIVER COUNTY
Hood River Valley High School GSA
A Hood River Valley High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
JACKSON COUNTY
Lotus Rising Project
A community organization in Southern Oregon that provides activities and services for LGBTQ youth and adults.
Phoenix High School GSA
A Phoenix High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
Youth ERA Medford
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.
PFLAG Grants Pass
A Grants Pass chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
LANE COUNTY
Churchill High School GSA
A Churchill High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
Sheldon High School GSA
A Sheldon High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
South Eugene High School GSA
A South Eugene High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
Trans*Ponder
A Lane County parent support group for families and caregivers with gender diverse children.
Youth ERA Eugene
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Newport High School GSA
A Newport High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
PFLAG Oregon Central Coast
Oregon Central Coast chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
The Bravery Center
A resource center that provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth, ages 14-24, in Lincoln County.
Out-N-About
A support group for high school-aged LGBTQ youth in Linn and Benton with regular meetings via Zoom.
MARION COUNTY
PFLAG Salem
Salem chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
Rainbow Youth
Support groups for middle and high school students in Marion and Polk Counties. Services include social activities, and individual support.
Youth ERA Salem
A youth-focused program of services that includes a drop-in center, crisis services, online support, wrap around services, training and technical assistance for youth-serving groups and agencies.
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
Asian Pacific Island Pride
Non-profit organization that serves LGBTQ API communities in greater Portland and provides safe and supportive environments to celebrate, educate and bring communities together. apipride@gmail.com
Brave Space, LLC
An organization that provides counseling and support and facilitates access to knowledgeable providers for transgender and genderqueer young people, adults and their families.
Bridging Voices
A chorus for LGBTQ+ and allied youth, ages 13-21 in a safe, accessible place for youth to experience empowerment and unity through music. Bridging Voices is Portland’s first LGBTQ+ and Allied Youth Chorus and is one of the largest choruses of its kind.
Cascade AIDS Project (CAP)
A multi-service agency that provides a range of health, education housing and peer support services for adults. Also provides services for youth. Includes Prism Health that provides gender affirming care.
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
A multi-service agency that provides a wide range of services and supports for Native American children, youth, adults and families, including Two-Spirit and LGBTQ support groups and events.
OHSU Transgender Health Program
Health care services for transgender for gender diverse children, youth and adults at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Provides information, referrals and access to resources.
Outside In Transgender Health Services
Health care and social services for youth experiencing homelessness and others. Provides an LGBTQ affirming medical clinic, transgender care, housing assistance, a Queer Zone group and a community drop-in center.
P:ear
Organization that provides a safe space, food, recreation, and mentorship through art, barista, and bike mechanic programs for youth who are experiencing homelessness and unstable housing.
PFLAG Portland
Portland chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
Portland Two-Spirit Society
P2SS is a social, cultural, educational, resource group for the LGBTIQ Native American/Alaskan Natives and their families; to come together and share, connect, reclaim, and restore culture and community.
Prism Healthcare Clinic
Health care agency that provides a wide range of services for LGBTQ people, including primary care and behavioral health services and counseling, gender-affirming care and STI testing.
Q Center
Portland’s LGBTQ community center. Provides a range of support groups, activities and a directory of local LGBTQ resources and referrals. Support groups are provided for adults related to gender identity, addiction recovery, veterans, seniors and a support group for youth under age 18.
Quest Center for Integrative Health
Health center that provides health and mental health care to youth and adults that includes counseling, LGBTQ health services, HIV services and wellness care.
Sankofa Collective Northwest
Sankofa provides support, education and advocacy for Black families, friends and LGBTQ people through monthly support groups, faith outreach, mini-grants and an annual Portland Black Pride celebration. Sankofa began as the first African American chapter of PFLAG in the U.S. and relaunched as the Sankofa Collective Northwest in 2016.
SMYRC (Sexual & Gender Minority Youth Resource Center)
SMYRC’s on-site center in Portland provides a safe, supervised, harassment-free space for sexual and gender minority youth ages 13-23 who participate in positive activities such as art, music, community organizing, open mic nights, drag shows, and support groups and receive services including case management, resource referral, counseling, and education. Through Bridge 13, SMYRC provides LGBTQ trainings, educational workshops and consultations for social support staff, health professionals, youth providers, and educators.
TransActive Gender Project
A program at Lewis & Clark that provides services and support for transgender and gender diverse children, youth, and families, including support groups for children and youth (ages 4-18), caregivers and families, as well as advocacy, counseling and referrals.
PFLAG Salem
A Salem chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
Rainbow Youth
Organization that provides safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth and their friends to find connection, support, and friendship in Marion and Polk Counties. Provides support meetings for middle and high-school aged youth, ages 18 and under.
UMATILLA COUNTY
PFLAG Pendelton
Pendelton chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents.
UNION COUNTY
PFLAG Union County
Union County chapter of PFLAG that provides education, advocacy, and support for families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons, including ongoing support groups for parents. https://www.facebook.com/PflagUnionCounty
WALLOWA COUNTY
Safe Harbors
Community organization that provides education and outreach with crisis intervention and advocacy services for survivors of domestic, sexual and dating violence for youth and adults.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Beaverton High School GSA
A Beaverton High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
Hillsboro High School GSA
A Hillsboro High School sponsored student club that provides support for LGBTQ and all students to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion.
The evidence-based resources included here were developed by the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) and are rooted in FAP’s groundbreaking research with LGBTQ youth, young adults and families. This research and guidance from the lived experiences of ethnically, racially and religiously diverse families with LGBTQ young people enabled FAP to develop the first evidence-based family support model to prevent health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ children and youth. FAP continues to produce a series of evidence-based resources to help to decrease health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ children and youth.
Key information from FAP’s research on how families can help support their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) children to reduce health risks and support positive development. These family education booklets have been designated as “Best Practice” resources for suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people by the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention.
HEALTHY FUTURES POSTER SERIES
Available from FAP in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Punjabi, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Other versions are in development.
Series of 3 posters that tell the “story” of family accepting and rejecting behaviors and show how these behaviors contribute to serious health risks including suicidal behavior and drug use and how they help protect against risk and promote well-being. Each poster includes common accepting and rejecting behaviors that are expressed across diverse cultures. The posters are available to download free in 4 sizes and include the camera-ready art to take to a commercial printer.
DEVELOPING THE FIELD OF FAMILY SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ CHILDREN & YOUTH
Although it may seem surprising to many people who are concerned about the health and well-being of children and youth, before the Family Acceptance Project was established 20 years ago, no one had studied LGBTQ young people and families. As a result, many mainstream services, including government agencies, have not included services and support for diverse families with LGBTQ children. As the Family Acceptance Project has shown, families can learn to support their LGBTQ children when services are provided in ways that are culturally relevant for them. Culturally appropriate services are needed to help families learn to support their LGBTQ children to reduce serious health risks, strengthen families and support positive development. Use this website to learn about these issues to provide support for LGBTQ children, youth and families – urgently needed now as LGBTQ young people and families are coping with the losses from Covid-19.
FAITH COMMUNITIES AND THE WELL-BEING OF LGBTQ YOUTH
A publication for faith communities and families on supporting LGBTQ youth to prevent mental health risks and to increase support, published by the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. GAP is a professional organization of thought leaders in the field of psychiatry who provide guidance on addressing critical emerging mental health issues.
NATIONAL LGBTQ RESOURCES & SUPPORTS
Selected resources listed on this website focus on providing services and support to reduce mental health risks and promote well-being for LGBTQ young people.
ACCESS TO LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTERS & LOCAL RESOURCES ACROSS THE U.S.
CenterLink
CenterLink is a nonprofit organization that provides capacity building and connects more than 270 LGBTQ community centers across the U.S. in 45 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, as well as several other countries. CenterLink provides a searchable database of LGBTQ centers where LGBTQ people, families, providers and others can find and access LGBTQ services in their communities, including counseling and support services.
Family Acceptance Project
The Family Acceptance Project (FAP) is a research, education and training program that helps ethnically, racially and religiously diverse families to support their LGBTQ children. FAP conducted the first research on LGBTQ youth and families and developed the first evidence-based family support model to help families to decrease rejection and health risks and to increase support and well-being for LGBTQ young people. FAP provides training for agencies, families, providers and religious leaders on increasing family support to reduce risk for suicide, homelessness and other serious health risks and using FAP’s multilingual educational materials and family support framework, also available online.
PFLAG
PFLAG is a national organization with 400 chapters across the U.S. that provides education and support for parents, families, and friends of LGBTQ people through individual and peer support groups, public education and advocacy. Parents and others can search PFLAG’s website to find chapters and support in local communities, in person and online. Local Oregon PFLAG chapters are listed by county under Oregon-Based LGBTQ Services & Support.
TransFamilies
TransFamilies provides support services and education for transgender people and their families, including an annual conference for families and their transgender children (Gender Odyssey). Formerly called Gender Diversity, TransFamilies provides online parent support groups in English & Spanish, a transgender youth leadership program and youth support groups, as well as training for schools and organizations.
Gender Spectrum
Gender Spectrum provides education and support for families with transgender and gender diverse children and youth, support groups and an annual conference for children, youth and families. Gender Spectrum also provides training for schools and organizations working with children and teens.
GSA Network – Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Network
GSA Network is a national youth-led organization that provides networking and support for GSAs – school clubs that provide education, peer support and activities to promote safer schools. GSA Network connects LGBTQ+ youth and school-based GSA clubs through peer support, leadership development, community organizing and advocacy and works with a network of 40 statewide organizations representing more than 4,000 GSA clubs across the country. GSAs in Oregon schools are listed by county under Oregon-Based LGBTQ Services & Support.
GLSEN
GLSEN is a national network of educators, students, and local GLSEN Chapters that work to promote safe schools for LGBTQ students. GLSEN provides resources for educators and students, conducts school climate research, provides guidance on comprehensive school policies and information on bullying and school safety.
Safe Schools Coalition
The Safe Schools Coalition is a public-private partnership in Washington State that was among the first school-based initiatives to support LGBTQ students. The Coalition hosts a longstanding website with resources to help promote safe schools and to implement its mission of “helping schools become safe places where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where every child can learn, regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.”
Campus Pride
Campus Pride is a national organization working to create a safer college environment for LGBTQ students by developing resources, programs and services to support LGBTQ and ally students on college campuses across the U.S. This includes hosting Camp Pride, a summer leadership camp for LGBTQ and ally students to learn campus strategies to develop supportive campus environments and leadership skills, LGBTQ college fairs and information on the campus safety, visibility and affirmation for LGBTQ students.
Affirmation LGBTQ Mormons Families & Friends
An international organization that promotes understanding, acceptance, and self-determination for individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions for current and former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Provides allyship, ministering, and educational resources and an annual international conference.
Beloved Arise
An organization that provides resources and support to empower LGBTQ teens across Christian denominations through youth programs, advocacy and ally engagement opportunities and resources for other faith-based organizations.
Brethren Mennonite Council
A nonprofit group that is committed to providing mutual support for families with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex members. This includes LGBTQ people, families and allies, to worship, educate and provide mutual support
DignityUSA
A national Catholic organization that provides support for people of all sexual orientations, genders, and gender identities—especially gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons. Provides opportunities for worship, service, education and social justice.
Equally Blessed
A coalition of Call to Action, DignityUSA, and New Ways Ministry that seeks to educate and inspire Catholics to take action on behalf of LGBTQ and intersex people, their families and friends.
Eshel
An organization that works with individuals, families, and the Orthodox Jewish community to support LGBTQ members. Eshel has chapters in cities in the U.S. and Canada that provide activities, parent retreats, a speakers bureau and access to LGBTQ resources in the U.S. and Israel.
Freed Hearts
A Christian organization that helps parents, LGBTQ people, educators, therapists, and churches to create safe spaces, inspiration and encouragement. Provides resources ranging from books, podcasts, video courses and social media, including a YouTube Channel.
Fortunate Families
A national Catholic organization and parent network that supports LGBTQ family members and facilitates conversations with bishops, pastors and Catholic Church leadership through sharing personal stories and working to establish Catholic LGBTQ Ministries in dioceses, parishes, educational institutions, and communities.
Galva – 108
An international, nonprofit religious organization – Gay & Lesbian Vaishnava Association – that provides information and support to LGBTI Vaishnavas and Hindus, their friends, and other interested persons.
Jewish Queer Youth
A group that supports and empowers LGBTQ youth in the Jewish community with a focus on teens and young adults from Orthodox, Chasidic, and Sephardic communities. Provides Drop-In Center, and services for parents, teens, and families.
Keshet
An organization that works for the full equality of LGBTQ Jews and families. Helps Jewish organizations with the skills to build LGBTQ-affirming communities, spaces for queer Jewish youth, and advances for LGBTQ rights. Offers professional development, training and consultation, youth initiatives, programs for LGBTQ Jews of Color, leadership projects and community learning.
Many Voices
A Black church movement for gay and transgender justice. Equips and brings forward Black leaders that support LGBT equality and justice through educational workshops, seminars, and dialogues – in-person and online.
Mama Dragons
An organization founded by Mormon mothers with LGBTQ children that supports, educates, and empowers mothers of LGBTQ children through a private Facebook and regional groups to support and advocate for their LGBTQ children.
Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity
An organization that works to support, empower and connect LGBTQ Muslims. Provides educational classes, retreats, advocacy, and resources including lectures, films video, podcasts, and blogs.
Muslims for Progressive Values
An organization that reflects Islam as a source of dignity, justice, compassion, and love for all. Offers spiritual counseling, chaplain endorsement and lectures and speaking engagements. Provides support for LGBTQ people and access to resources.
Q Christian Fellowship
An organization that cultivates radical belonging among LGBTQ+ people and allies through an annual conference, community groups, Parent Summit, and a variety of resources.
United Church of Christ LGBT Ministries
Christian religious organization that includes local churches and a global ministry. Has a specific ministry to LGBTQ people and families.
Unity Fellowship Church Movement
Unity Fellowship Church Movement is the first affirming and welcoming Black church for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons with several congregations across the U.S. Members of the public can RSVP to attend services online.
AM – All Month – TQC -The Q Center – Virtual, Diverse Support Groups for People in the LGBTQ+ Community
@ Online Regerster for Details
The Q Center: Out of Portland OR, Continues To Offer Several Virtual, Diverse Support Groups for People in the LGBTQ+ Community:
As the largest LGBTQ+ community center in the Pacific Northwest, Q Center proudly serves the LGBTQ2SIA+ communities of Portland Metro and Southwest Washington. Our drop-in and event space on North Mississippi Avenue is a frequent first stop for new arrivals in Portland, and for longtime residents who are newly out or questioning their sexual or gender identity.
Q Center also serves as an information hub for friends, partners, community, and family members of LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach and seek out ways to share resources with other nonprofits and public institutions locally and statewide.
The Ultimate List of Support Groups for Black Moms
Brown Mamas – Pittsburgh & U.S. – Brown Mamas, Inc. has been around for seven years in the Pittsburgh region. Brown Mamas began in the living room of Muffy Mendoza. What started as 5 moms has grown to over 4000 Our mamas love our Pittsburgh chapter so much that we are expanding. If you are mom who is ready to not just find her tribe, but to inspire other mothers and be the change she wants to see in her community, click here to learn more about starting your own Brown Mamas chapter.
We are a recovery fellowship comprised of men, women, youth, survivors, and their families that are committed to supporting and living a crime-free lifestyle. We welcome you to check out our website at www.crimanon.org. Zoom on in with us! To join this meeting, use the ZOOM Link and Meeting ID provided below:
Our cancer support groups are designed to meet four key needs:
* Members have a place where emotions can be expressed and not judged
* Members gain a sense of community & inclusion with others in a similar situation
* Members find ways in which choice & control can be attained while living with cancer
* Members are provided with opportunities for education and information
While we are online, please note that our Support Group Norms require participation by both video and audio unless you have been granted an exception by Cancer Lifeline. To inquire about an exception, please call (206) 832-1271.
Saturdays at 4 pm (PST) Meeting ID is: 892-5105-3549 and password: novadda
Fun In Recovery Events
Art night is continuing every Tuesday at 3 pm (PST). Can’t wait to socialize and build new skills in recovery with you all!!! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88050830159
Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA) is a peer support group based on an authorized version of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous plus an additional 5 Steps that focus on Dual Diagnosis (mental illness and substance abuse). DDA’s unique 12 Steps Plus 5 Program offers hope for achieving the promise of recovery. Read more about the history of DDA at http://www.ddaoregon.com/about.htm.
Hearing Loss Association of America/Oregon Meetings and Resources, 2021
HLAA of Portland meets the third Saturday each month (except June, July, and August) 10 am, in the Wistar Morris Conference Room in the Main Hospital Building on the Legacy Good Samaritan Campus, 1015 NW 22nd Ave. (at Marshall), Portland, 97210. Contact Mark Foster, president; email: hlaportland@gmail.com. Write P.O. Box 2112, Portland, OR 97208-2112; http://www.hlaa-or.org/portlandchapter.html.
HLAA of Lane County meets quarterly:second Thursday in March, June, Sept., and Dec., at 7 p.m. at the Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St., Eugene. Right now we are scheduled to meet in person June 10 unless COVID-19 infections mandate otherwise.
Mail: P.O. Box 22501, Eugene, OR 97402. Clark Anderson; email: clarkoa@msn.com
HLAA of Linn and Benton counties meets the last Wednesday each month (except June, July, & Dec.) at 6:30 p.m. at the Reimar Building, next to Albany General Hospital, 1085 6th Ave. SW, Albany, OR 97321. Contact: John Hood-Fysh, email: jhoodfysh@gmail.com; 541/220-8541 (cell – call or text), 818 Broadalbin St. SW, Albany, OR 97321.
Note: HLAA of Douglas County no longer meets the requirements for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Reinstatement may occur, but right now, this group meets as a support group. Contacts: Vincent Portulano, president, email: HLAADC@outlook. com; or Ann Havens, secretary, 541/673-3119. Check with them for location for meetings and time.
Supports families and children who are deaf and hard of hearing, by connecting parents, mentorship, educational advocacy, community development and support programs. Collaborates with professionals to support families.
FACT Oregon https://www.factoregon.org/
Supports, empowers and advocates for families who experience disability.
Family to Family Health Information Center Oregon Family-to-Family Health Information Center | OHSU
Supports families and caregivers of children with special health needs to navigate the healthcare system. Many resources on the website.
AG Bell Oregon https://www.agbell.org/Connect/Oregon-Chapter
Facebook page – AG Bell Oreoon
Instagram– aobelloreoon
Local chapter of a national organization. The focus is to promote listening and spoken language education, advocate for accessibility, educational services, and health-related rights, and create connections and memories together.
Oregon Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program
For Providers: Information on EHDI Reporting, forms, protocols, facilities, OVERS Hearing Screening Module, 1-3-6 Newborn Hearing Screening Checklist For Parents: Information on hearing screening (what it involves and why it’s important), follow-up (what happens if a newborn doesn’t pass a screening), Early Intervention/Family Services, Guide By Your Side (a Hands & Voices program that matches trained parent guides with families who have recently found out their child has a hearing loss), and other resources for families
American Cochlear Implant Alliance
https://www.acialliance.org/
Facebook page
Twitter
Contains information about research, awareness, and advocacy around cochlear implants. Information about hearing loss and cochlear implants in general.
Oregon Association for Deaf https://oad1921.org/
Advocates for the rights of people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Oregon. The website contains articles, meeting and conference information, and youth opportunities.
Hearing Loss Association of America – Oregon State Association https://www.hlaa-or.org/about-us.html
Education, Information and Advocacy.
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) https://www.cdc.oov/ncbddd/hearinqloss/e hdi-programs.html
Information about EHDI programs Information for families including:
• Questions You May Want to Ask Your Child’s Audiologist
• Just in Time for Pediatric Primary Care Providers
AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing AG Bell is another convenient resource for those seeking in-person hearing loss support groups, with 41 active chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico. Specifically designed to support children with hearing loss and their families, AG Bell hosts everything from social events to informational sessions for individuals and families impacted by hearing loss; connect with your nearest chapter to learn more. You can also join the AG Bell Facebook group to connect with fellow members online.
DeafandHoHis a website featuring hearing loss news, a discussion forum, resources for financial aid and other services, search directories for audiologists, hearing care facilities, speech-language pathologists, and more. The topics covered on the site include living with hearing loss, caring for a family member or friend with hearing loss, American Sign Language, and hearing loss products. You can also joinopen chat nights on select Wednesdaysfrom 6pm-7pm PST / 9pm-10pm EST to enjoy live interaction!
Sounds of Sobriety (SOS): This online email group was formed to help us who have a hearing loss (deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing) to find a place to recover from alcoholism. For many of us, face-to-face AA meetings no longer work. All members of AA, or those who think they may have a problem with alcohol, are welcome. SOS_online_group-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Deaf Grateful: This is a real-time open discussion meeting on Saturday at 4 pm (EST) for deaf & HOH people who have a desire to stop drinking. Meeting uses videoconferencing software (easily downloaded) that requires a high speed internet connection and a webcam. Our communication mode is ASL only (no audio). http://doda.omnijoin.com
Perspectives of people who are deaf and hard of hearing on mental health, recovery, and peer support
Do you experience voices, visions, have intense energy and/ or navigate through exploratory states of consciousness?
You are certainly not alone! In this group we will explore the significance of these experiences together in an open, non-judgmental way. We welcome and highly encourage the pondering and meaning of these experiences on an individual level. Are these experiences spiritual, supernatural, psychological, metaphysical, biological or something else? In this group we have the wonderful opportunity to learn from each other what these experiences could mean and hear multiple perspectives from different vantage points.
This is a free group. No referral is needed. Supportive friends and/or family are welcome.
Salem Hearing Voices Online with Aaron Benson / ProjectA.B.L.E.
Oregon Helpers Wellness Initiative – Peer Support Meetings
In partnership with OHA, we offer free peer-facilitated Virtual Wellness Rooms and Wellness Affinity Groups to communities statewide.
Sobre información cómo participar en español, manda un correo electrónico a staceyb@linesforlife.org.
You’re here to help others, we’re here to help you.
As our communities face COVID-19, we are experiencing drastic changes to everyday life, both personally and professionally – and these changes are especially difficult for helpers and other frontline and essential workers. Oregon Helpers Wellness Initiative is dedicated to providing critical support to Oregon communities and those workers we depend on most.
Our virtual peer support meetings are free, confidential, and open to all frontline workers including medical and behavioral health providers, social workers, home caregivers, and more.
We offer these spaces to focus on self-care because finding a healthy work-life balance is a daily challenge. We hope to de-stigmatize help-seeking for stress, anxiety, and depression, encourage resource sharing and resilience, and quell compassion fatigue and burnout.
We invite you to participate in these spaces at your level of comfort.
We at Lines for Life are grateful for the work you do to keep our communities safe and well, and we want to thank you by offering space for you to recharge and stay connected to the passion which drew you to your field.
Benefits of participating:
Stress reduction
Evidence-based self-care strategies
Work-life balance strategies
Resource sharing
Community with those who care for others professionally
Wellness Affinity Groups
Our Wellness Affinity Groups meet online to connect participants from similar backgrounds or occupational fields. They are hosted by coaches who guide participants through a strengths-based skills curriculum and sharing community resources as needed.
The Zoom will be be open 15 minutes before and after the meeting for fellowship and tech support.
Meeting ID: 981 0151 4197
Passcode: 350901
To join by phone: +1 669 900 6833 OR +1 253 215 8782
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,98101514197# OR +12532158782,,98101514197#
This meeting welcomes all people interested in focusing on the 12 step recovery experiences of people of marginalized genders including but not limited to cis and trans women, non-binary folks, and trans men.
Contacts: Dawn (503)964-7921. Camila (415)515-3460 Julie M. (845) 389-180
Don’t know a thing about Overeaters Anonymous? This is a great place to get some info. This is not a normal OA meeting. It is a one hour “Intro to OA”. There is some explanation of what OA is all about, with time for questions and answers.
Meeting ID: 934 6772 5942
Passcode: 172301
To participate by phone: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782
One tap mobile +16699006833,,93467725942# OR +12532158782,,93467725942#
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) has a comprehensive online resource guide (VETERAN RESOURCE NAVIGATOR) available to assist veterans in finding the benefits that are most useful to their unique circumstances at this time.
Use the link below for the Veteran Resource Navigator
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy, so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.
Download your VA Welcome Kit
You are welcome to share this guide with friends or family members who need help with their benefits too. You can print out copies for yourself and others:
Find out if you’re eligible for VA home loan programs to help you buy, build, repair, or keep a home. If you have a service-connected disability, see if you qualify for a housing grant to help you live more independently.
Explore VA life insurance options for Veterans, service members, and families. Manage your policy online, file claims for benefits, and access helpful resources.
Get help planning a burial in a VA national cemetery, order a headstone or other memorial item to honor a Veteran’s service, and apply for survivor and dependent benefits.
Learn about benefits for spouses and dependents of a Veteran or service member, including added support if you’re caring for a Veteran with a service-connected disability.
Other Resources Available to Veterans and Military Service Members
VA now allows veterans in suicidal crisis to go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for free emergency healthcare
Veterans in acute suicidal crisis can now go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for emergency health care at no cost — including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days.
Veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use this benefit. This expansion will increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million veterans who are not currently enrolled in the VA system.
The final policy, which took effect on Jan. 17, allows the VA to:
Provide, pay for, or reimburse for treatment of eligible individuals’ emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care.
Make appropriate referrals for care following the period of emergency suicide care.
Determine eligibility for other VA services and benefits.
Refer eligible individuals for appropriate VA programs and benefits following the period of emergency suicide care.
Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status, are:
Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.
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