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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).
The National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) offers several resources and strategies to locate deaf-accessible crisis services, community resources and hotlines:
Crisis Line for VideoPhone users who use American Sign Language (available 24/7): (321) 800-DEAF (321-800-3323)
“when the world comes crashing at
your feet
it’s okay to let others
help pick up the pieces
if we’re present to take part in your
happiness
when your circumstances are great
we are more than capable
of sharing your pain”
― Rupi Kaur, The Sun and Her Flowers
00 – Hotline – HRSA – Health Resources and Services Administration – National Maternal Mental Health Hotline -1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) – en Espanol – 24/7
@ Phone
People can dial, call, text or chat 988, a the three-digit number, available 24/7, to directly connect anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis to compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors. 988 connects callers to the existing Oregon partners of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of local crisis call-centers throughout the country. 988 call-centers in Oregon are operated by Lines for Life statewide, and Northwest Human Services in Marion and Polk counties.
How Does 988 Work?
988 was established in July 2022 to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. 988 provides easier access to behavioral health crisis services, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911 (where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed).
911 continues to operate as it does across the state. For serious and life-threatening situations, 988 call centers work with local mental health providers to support appropriate interventions.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon’s 988 call centers are collaborating with 911 Public Safety Answering Points to develop a roadmap on how 911 and 988 can coordinate with each other in the future.
988 crisis counselors are trained to use the least invasive interventions. Oftentimes, responding to a call, text or chat is all that is needed to help someone in crisis. In fact, more than 95 percent of current calls are resolved over the phone.
If a 988 call cannot be resolved over the phone, a mobile crisis team or first responder may be dispatched.
Other important facts to know:
988 is available through every landline, cell phone and voice-over internet device in the United States, as well as text and chat.
The current technology for 988 routes callers by area code, not geolocation.
988 is not currently available when phones are locked or do not have prepaid minutes.
The transition to 988 does not impact the availability of crisis services for veterans and military service members. They can call 988 and press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.
For support in Spanish, callers can press 2 to connect with the Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has an infographic with more information on what happens when people call, text or chat.
Community partners interested in helping promote 988 can use posters, social media shareables and other materials about 988 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov/988. Learn more about 988 in Oregon on OHA’s 988 webpage. Read OHA’s press release about 988.
NOTE:
PeerGalaxy has a 988 Card and web page with additional resources.
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.
The Native & Strong Lifeline is a crisis call center operated entirely by Native staff and is available 24/7 in Washington State. To connect with the Native & Strong Lifeline from a Washington State area code, dial 988 and press “4”.
The Native crisis counselor who answers will help with mental health crises in an empathetic and culturally connected way. The Native & Strong Lifeline currently employs 16 Indigenous counselors from all over the United States. In addition to the training all 988 crisis counselors receive, Native & Strong counselors are trained in cultural competency, traditional forms of healing, and Native slang and language. Counselors use cultural activities, traditional medicines, and connections with elders and Native healers as a part of self-care planning with callers, in addition to clinical and community resources.
Although Native & Strong is only available in Washington State, this crisis call center can serve as a model for Tribes that want to open their own crisis call centers nationwide.
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.
Resource Lists to Support Mental Health and Coping with the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
LISTS COURTESY OF THE SUICIDE PREVENTION RESCOURCE CENTER
GENERAL AUDIANCE
NEWLY ADDED! Coping-19 – This website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ad Council provides resources for people dealing with anxiety, depression, financial uncertainty, grief, isolation, prejudice, or sleeplessness. It also provides resources on healthy living topics such as exercise, nutrition, and meditation, family activities, and medical guidance.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Stress and Coping – This web page contains basic guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on managing mental health stressors during COVID-19. Available in other languages, including Spanish, by clicking the button “Languages” under the title.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations during the COVID-19 Outbreak – This information sheet from the World Health Organization (WHO) contains suggestions for coping with COVID-19 for the general population and specific groups including health care workers, caretakers of children and older adults, and people living in isolation.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Grief and Loss – This web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contains information on coping with grief and loss, including loss of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic, loss due to changes in daily routines and ways of life, and helping children cope with grief. Available in other languages, including Spanish, by clicking the button “Languages” under the title.
Coronavirus Anxiety: Helpful Expert Tips and Resources– This web page, updated daily by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), contains links to a wide variety of resources for coping with general anxiety and some specific anxiety disorders during COVID-19, including articles, information sheets, blog posts, and videos.
Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks– This web page from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides bulleted lists of behavioral, physical, emotional, and mental responses that are common signs of stress and anxiety during infectious disease pandemics like COVID-19. It also includes ways to relieve the stress.
Tips for Coping with Coronavirus Stress – This sheet from PsychAlive provides suggestions for self-care to help cope with stress during COVID-19, including mindfulness meditation; a breathing exercise; practicing self-compassion, optimism, and gratitude; and connecting with other people and with nature.
Coronavirus: Building Mental Health Resilience – This blog post from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) suggests ways to build resilience, which means learning healthy ways to adapt and cope with adversity and distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also discusses growing emotionally beyond simply coping.
Responding to COVID-19: Provider Well-Being – This section of the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center’s (MTTHC) website has a list of resources that address the well-being of mental health providers. It includes webinars, presentations, toolkits, and information sheets.
Treating Suicidal Patients during COVID-19: Best Practices and Telehealth (Archived Webinar) – In this webinar from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), experts discuss three best practices for treating people at risk of suicide that can be delivered effectively via telehealth: safety plans, treatment that directly targets suicidal thoughts, and DBT-based self-help skills. Also available is a series of three brief videos made from this webinar.
Safe Suicide Care During a Pandemic– This web page from the Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) contains descriptions of, and links to, resources for health care leaders and mental health professionals on providing safe suicide care.
Tools for Behavioral Health Professionals During a Public Health Crisis– This sheet from the Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) provides information for behavioral health professionals on maintaining wellness, recognizing signs of burnout, supporting staff, and using telehealth.
Telepsychiatry in the Era of COVID-19 (Archived Webinar)– This webinar by SMI Adviser provides an overview of how to use telemental health and video visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes information on the legal, clinical, cultural, and practical aspects of using technology to deliver care. It covers topics such as which telemental health platform to use, licensure, consent, online prescribing, and billing.
COVID-19 Tips: Building Rapport with Youth via Telehealth – This article by Van Dyk, et al. at the UCLA Pediatric Psychology Consultation Liaison Service provides tips on how to introduce telehealth to children and adolescents, build rapport with them, and keep them engaged.
HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
Emergency Responders: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself –This web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides signs of burnout and secondary traumatic stress as well as self-care techniques and tips for setting up a buddy system with another emergency responder for mutual support.
Tips for Healthcare Professionals: Coping with Stress and Compassion Fatigue – This sheet from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) contains information on stress and signs of distress and compassion fatigue after a disaster. It describes strategies to cope and enhance resilience, including instructions for relaxation exercises, and lists resources for more information and support.
Tips for Disaster Responders: Preventing and Managing Stress – This sheet from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) contains information on preparing for a disaster and coping during and after it. Suggestions for planning with loved ones are included.
Caring with Compassion: Supporting Patients and Families in a Crisis (Archived Webinar) – In this webinar from the Schwartz Center, Patricia Watson, PhD, and Richard Westphal, PhD, RN, discuss strategies health care professionals can use to address the five essential human needs that support recovery from adversity and stress. They also explain how to use the Stress First Aid framework to assess for stress injury, discuss patient needs, and make referrals to other supports.
Supporting a Family Member Who Is a Health Care Worker– This information sheet from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) offers practical guidance for addressing the emotional needs of a family member who is a health care worker. It is modeled on the NOVA Crisis Response Program.
Supporting the Children and Teens of Health Care Workers – This information sheet from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) offers practical guidance for addressing the emotional needs of children and teens of health care workers. It is modeled on the NOVA Crisis Response Program.
COMMUNITY LEADERS
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Reducing Stigma – This web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides basic information about stigma related to COVID-19 and ways that public health officials and other community leaders can reduce it.
Social Stigma Associated with the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – This information sheet from several organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) explains what social stigma is, why it is occurring so much with COVID-19, its impact, and how to address it. The sheet suggests preferred language and messages to use when talking about COVID-19 and provides examples of actions that can counter stigmatizing attitudes.
The Critical Role of Prevention During and Post Pandemic (Archived Webinar) – This webinar from the Great Lakes PTTC is a starting point for a regional dialogue as organizations start preparing for recovery from the many effects of COVID-19 including on substance misuse, mental health, suicide, and domestic violence, and the important role that prevention professionals will play in the response.
NEWLY ADDED! COVID-19 and Anxiety (Archived Webinar) – This webinar from the National Indian Health Board includes general background on anxiety, how feelings of anxiety may be heightened during the pandemic, resources and coping mechanisms that may help, and questions and answers with attendees. This webinar is designed for community members, Tribal health and behavioral health professionals, Tribal leaders, and partners.
NEWLY ADDED! Suicidality and COVID-19: How to Help (Archived Webinar) – This webinar from the National Indian Health Board includes general background on suicide in Indian Country; intervention and prevention; what is unique about COVID-19 that may contribute to suicide risk; resources and suggestions that may help; and questions and answers with attendees. This webinar is designed for community members, Tribal health and behavioral health professionals, Tribal leaders, and partners.
Recommendations for Tribal Ceremonies and Gatherings during the COVID-19 Outbreak – This web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contains recommendations to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19 during tribal ceremonies and practices such as sweat lodges, social gatherings, and seasonal ceremonies. These events are important in protecting the health and well-being of tribal members.
Elder Mental Health During COVID-19 – This information sheet from the Center for American Indian Health provides information on ways to support American Indian elders during COVID-19. It includes suggestions for managing stress, activities to help maintain well-being, ways to support elders with medical needs, and steps residential care facilities can take to ensure elders’ safety.
NEWLY ADDED! Redefining the Sophomore Slump during COVID-19 (Archived Webinar). This webinar from Kognito is a panel discussion with three higher education leaders who discuss what they are expecting when students return to campus, the types of conversations campus members may need to have with students and the support they can provide as students adjust to a new normal given what they have experienced during COVID-19, including grief, loneliness, uncertainty, and fear.
Students Struggle but Don’t Seek Colleges’ Help – This article from Inside Higher Ed describes the low use of college counseling services compared to student needs, the possible reasons, and where else students are getting support. Then it provides 12 suggestions for improving college mental health services now and after the pandemic.
Supporting Vulnerable Campus Populations during the COVID-19 Pandemic – This set of guidelines from the American College Health Association (ACHA) provides information on how to support college and university populations that are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and economic downturn. It covers Black, Asian, first generation/low income (FGLI), international, Latinx, LGBTQ+, Native American, undocumented students, and students with disabilities.
Mental Health Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic – This web page from Active Minds provides a variety of resources for students, parents, and faculty to help support student mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. Included are videos, blog posts, and webinars.
Changing the Conversation about Mental Health to Support College Students During a Pandemic (Archived Webinar Series) – This is a series of two webinars from the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) and Active Minds:
Session II: Campus Mental Health: How Do We Come Back to the New Normal? – This session covers what coming back to the “new normal” will look like for college students’ as they return to campus and how campuses can effectively support the return of students in providing a place for recovery and education.
SCHOOLS
NEWLY ADDED! COVID-19: Resource Center: Guidance and Supports This part of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) website includes links to numerous resources under the categories of “Return to School,” “Crisis & Mental Health,” “Families & Educators,” and “Service Delivery & Special Education.”
CASEL Cares Initiative COVID-19 Resources – This webpage from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) contains guidelines for educators, parents, and caregivers with four focus areas, and a large list of resources on social and emotional learning for educators.
Responding to COVID-19: School Mental Health – This section of the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center’s (MTTHC) website has a list of resources that address educator well-being and a list of other COVID-related school mental health resources. Both lists include webinars, presentations, toolkits, and information sheets.
COVID-19 Resources – This web page from the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) provides many resources on mental health and coping, with sections specifically for school staff and administrators and for students and families. It also has a section on technology to support school mental health, and a webinar for school mental health clinicians on using telemental health to provide services and support to students and families.
Trauma-Informed School Strategies during COVID-19 – This sheet from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides specific guidance for educators, school staff, and administrators on the physical and emotional well-being of staff; creating a trauma-informed learning environment; identifying, assessing, and treating traumatic stress; trauma education; partnerships with students and families; cultural responsiveness, emergency management and crisis response; and school discipline.
Supporting Students Experiencing Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic – This blog from the Regional Educational Laboratory Appalachia (REL Appalachia) lists common trauma symptoms and provides preventive strategies that can be used virtually to create a safe and predictable environment, build relationships, and help students with self-regulation. It also provides links to other resources to use in supporting students.
Tools for Educators during a Public Health Crisis – This sheet from the Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) provides information for educators on self-care, signs of distress, and strategies for working parents and students.
EWLY ADDED! COVID-19 Resource Guide for Parents and Guardians – This webpage from the Jed Foundation has links to resources to assist parents and guardians in helping themselves and their teenage and young adult children cope with the mental health effects of COVID-19.
Countering COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers - This information sheet from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) contains tips for parents and caregivers on addressing stigma and racism related to COVID-19 with children. It also provides suggestions to help children feel safe and deal with stigma they may encounter.
COVID-19: Five Helpful Responses for Families – This web page from Conscious Discipline provides information on five ways to help children feel safe and connected during COVID-19. Each section includes links to activities, examples, stories, and webinars for children and parents to help incorporate the strategies.
Supporting Families During COVID-19 – This resource list from the Child Mind Institute includes links to a large number of resources, including ones specifically for children with anxiety disorders, ADHD, autism, and PTSD. There are also links to resources relevant for all children on managing anxiety, discipline and behavior, and dealing with loss.
Co-Parenting during a Pandemic – This information sheet from Parents Lead.org contains a checklist with items that can help in adjusting co-parenting plans. It also provides information on what to do if one parent thinks the other parent is a risk due to COVID-19
TEENAGERS
NEWLY ADDED! Mental Health Advocacy Online – This webpage from Active Minds includes a short video of high school students sharing their experiences during COVID-19. It also has links to free self-care resources for teens and young adults and a network where student leaders can chat about promoting mental health during COVID-19.
Teen Voices: Coping with the Pandemic – In this short video from MindWise Innovations, teens talk about the challenges they’re experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic, how they’re learning to cope, and what they need from adults.
OLDER ADULTS
Reducing Loneliness and Social Isolation among Older Adults – This sheet by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) provides information on the risk factors for and impact of loneliness and social isolation on older adults, tools to identify loneliness in older adults, and interventions and resources to reduce loneliness and isolation.
COVID-19: We Must Care for Older Adults’ Mental Health – This web page from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) covers key risk factors that impact mental health and well-being in older adults and how they can be worsened by COVID-19. It also includes steps that everyone can take to support older adults during COVID-19.
7 Ways to Boost Your Loved One’s Morale during the Coronavirus Epidemic – This web page from AARP for loved ones of older adults briefly describes seven ways to help keep older adults engaged and decrease their feeling of isolation even when you cannot be with them in person. It includes a section with tips for thanking the staff at a care center. Also available in Spanish.
Older Adults & Isolation during COVID-19 (Archived Webinar) – This webinar from Mental Health America for older adults and people who support them describes challenges faced by many older adults that can be worsened by COVID-19 and ways that peer support specialists can help. It also provides specific suggestions for older adults living in isolation on how they can connect with other people, including online.
Encouraging Older Adults to Stay Active and Safe during the Coronavirus Pandemic – This web page from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) provides tips for older adults on how to safely stay active and exercise at home. Staying active can help with mental health and coping. Also included is a link to some exercise videos specifically for older adults.
For information sheets in Spanish for a general audience, see the General Audience section above.
Strategies to Support the LatinX Community – In this presentation by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network and the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network, four presenters discuss ways substance misuse providers can support Latinos during COVID-19, including those with substance misuse problems.
Stress Management during Quarantine for Mental Health Providers Serving Latino Clients (Archived Webinar) – This webinar from the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC identifies stressors in the Hispanic and Latino population that can be exacerbated during quarantines for infectious disease outbreaks. It covers tools for stress management tools that mental health providers can use with their Hispanic and Latino clients. Special considerations regarding telemental health and for working with Latino youth are also provided.
COVID-19 and the Impact on Intimate Partner Violence for Latinos (Archived Webinar) – This webinar from the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including shelter in place practices and isolation, on Latino/Hispanic individuals who experience intimate partner violence (IPV). It also covers cultural resilience and coping strategies relevant to Latino families, and ways to reduce stress and IPV.
9 Strategies for Quarantining in a Non-LGBTQ+ Affirming Environment – This article from the LGBTQ+ community platform, them., provides suggestions for LGBTQ+ youth on how to live in isolation with people who may not accept one’s LGBTQ identity. Therapists and crisis management experts from The Trevor Project helped compile the information.
Queer Lives Worth Living (Archived Open Conversation) – This conversation with two staff from The Trevor Project and the president of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is directed toward providers serving LGBTQ youth. The focus is how to address the needs of LGBTQ youth as they face the issues of COVID-19 and the recent increased attention on racism and police brutality.
COVID-19 Resource Lists from Partners of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has developed a list of resources on safe messaging and for some specific populations.
The Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) has developed a resource list for health care leaders and mental health professionals that addresses safe suicide care.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed a resource list for individuals, providers, communities, and states focused on behavioral health care.
Education Development Center (EDC) has developed a list of resources related to health, mental health, and education.
04 – Resources – ODHS – Oregon Department of Human Services – During COVID You are not alone
The Safe + Strong Helpline (1-800-923-HELP/4357), in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, is an emotional support and resource referral line that can assist anyone who is struggling and seeking support. Callers do not need to be in a crisis to contact this line. Help is free, available 24/7 and interpreters are available.
Support for service members, veterans and their families at Military Helpline – 888-457-4838 or text MIL1 to 839863
Veteran’s Crisis Line – 800-273-8255 press 1 to talk to someone, text 838255 to connect to a VA responder or call 800-799-4889 for hearing impaired support
Crisis Text Line – Text START to 741-741. For Spanish text to 800-662-4357
StrongHearts Native Helpline offers confidential and culturally appropriate support for domestic and sexual violence affecting Native communities – 844-762-8483
The National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline offers 24/7 intervention, information and referrals through video phone (855-812-1001), email and chat for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled survivors
NW Network provides domestic and sexual violence services for LGBTQ survivors (206-568-7777)
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.
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.
LOCATE SERVICES IN OREGON
Veteran Resource Navigator
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
COVID-19 ALERT – Due to COVID-19 many County Offices are limiting in-person services and are providing services by phone. Please call your County Veteran Service Office before going in to confirm how they can best serve you during this time.
This self-screen can help you find out if your feelings and behaviors may be related to PTSD.
Only a trained provider can diagnose PTSD. Your responses here are private and secure—they are not collected or shared. You may take a screenshot or print this screen to share with a provider.
Do not take the self-screen for someone else. If you are concerned that someone you care about might have PTSD, please share this screen with them instead.
Mental health support available 24/7 to Oregon farmworkers
call or text (833) 987-2474
People can call the AgriStress Helpline when they are in a crisis, need resources, are concerned about a loved one or just need someone to talk to. Calls are answered within 30 seconds, and all callers are screened for suicidality and offered a 24-hour follow-up call.
The Oregon AgriStress Helpline is available 24/7. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text (833) 987-2474. The phone line can be accessed in up to 160 languages with the help of interpreters, and the text line offers English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
The helpline’s crisis specialists understand the culture, values, stressors and lived experiences of agriculture, forestry, and fishing workers. They can also offer local mental health resources specific to these industries.
05 – Warmline – TTP – The Treavor Project – TrevorLifeline – Call 1-866-488-7386 or Text – “START” to 678-678 – 24/7
@ phone
TrevorLifeline offers 24/7, free and confidential support by phone, text message (SMS) and online chat. We support LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. and Mexico who may be experiencing emotional distress related to gender & sexual identity, loneliness, relationships, suicide, supporting a friend or family member.
As part of our commitment to preventing suicide, we are available to help you if you are considering suicide or harming yourself, or if you are noticing warning signs in a friend or family member.
When you reach out to us you will talk with one our friendly and supportive volunteers who are experienced in how to help people in your situation. They will listen to you, unpack your story and feelings, and work with you to help you through your challenges. We are open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. We are always available to talk with you.
AM – All Month – OMH – Office of Minority Health US Department of Health and Human Services – Resource’s and Publications
This new chat/resource group was created to help support those and their families who suffer from mental health and, or, addiction struggles during the coronavirus situation.
Please know that we are all in this together, so please invite those who might be able to help or benefit. The five rules of respect will govern this site, so love, encouragement, and valid resources are the primary mission of this group. We look forward to the support of the community and sharing support and resources for those who need it.
IMPORTANT: Anyone who chooses to promote panic, fear, racism, or misinformation will be asked to stop and or be blocked.
1. First, and most importantly, who you see here and what is said here, let it stay here! (Here! Here!) Confidentiality and anonymity are the spiritual foundations that keep our recovery possible.
2. Questions and answers are welcome and positive feedback is given, when asked for.
3. Keep it real.
4. Try not to disrupt the group.
5. It is OK to pass, if you do not wish to share.
Hotline – Boys Town National Hot Line – A 24/7 crisis, resource and referral number for kids and parents – 1-800-448-3000 – Text VOICE to 20121
@ Phone
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.
If you or someone you know is struggling: Don’t wait. Reach out. Visit www.va.gov/REACH for resources and information, or call 988 (then press 1) to quickly connect with caring, qualified crisis support 24/7.
Veteran Resource Navigator
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
According to the Center for Hope and Recovery, “A warmline is a telephone service (aka a call line) for people who are looking for someone to discuss their daily struggles. Warmlines are staffed with peers who have lived experience of mental health struggles themselves and who are open to sharing their stories of challenging situations, recovery, and perseverance” The hours, days and geographic reach may vary. Fortunately, there are many warmlines including quite a number operating in Oregon such as but not limited to: The David Romprey Warmline.
Objective: This exploratory study describes the impact of a peer-run warm line on the lives of individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
Methods: Phone surveys were completed with 480 warm line callers over four years. Results: Warm line callers reported a reduction in the use of crisis services and a reduction of feelings of isolation.
Conclusions and Implications for Practice: The results indicate that peer-run warm lines can fill an important void in the lives of individuals living with mental [health challenges]. Although warm lines at any time of day are helpful, keeping warm lines running after 5pm and throughout the night provides support services not typically available after office hours and can assist with loneliness, symptom management, and the process of recovery.
Warmline for Family + Caregivers Support – AARP – American Association of Retired Persons – Weekdays 4am-8pm PST
@ Phone
AARP has a dedicated, toll-free family caregiving line for people taking care of a loved one. Agents can’t provide specific advice to callers, but they can suggest resources on a variety of caregiving topics.
Along with comprehensive coverage of issues affecting caregivers, AARP offers free care guides, legal checklists, information on care options and an online community that supports all types of family caregivers. You can also call our caregiver support line for one-on-one help.
Agents are Available on Weekdays, Monday-Friday from 4am-8pm PST / 7am-11pm EST
NEW: MUTUAL AID GROUPS – Informal groups of volunteers that band together to find effective ways to support those people most in need who live in their local community. Mutual aid can include picking up groceries, providing financial assistance, or lending emotional support to your neighbors. Visit https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/find-group/
Benefits of support groups may include but not be limited to: a safe place for sharing, venting, validating, comparing, uniting, advocating, finding social connection, and building community.
Community Resource Locator – an online database from AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association, provides easy access to a variety of local programs, resources and services. https://www.communityresourcefinder.org/
Family Care Navigator – the Family Caregiver Alliance’s tool that helps locate state-by-state assistance for family caregivers. 800-445-8106. https://www.caregiver.org/family-care-navigator
The Eldercare Locator – a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that connects you to services for older adults and their families such as respite care, insurance counseling, transportation and other services for older Americans and family members. They can also be reached at 1-800-677-1116. https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
Caregiver Action Network – Information, educational materials and support for family caregivers. Toll Free phone number: 855-CARE-640
National Alliance for Caregiving – a coalition of national organizations focused on family caregiving issues. The alliance conducts policy analysis and tracks legislation and initiatives that affect caregivers and care recipients. Phone: 202-918-1013. https://www.caregiving.org
National Institute on Aging – an arm of the National Institutes of Health, NIA offers extensive online information on common age-related health problems, including a section on caregiving for people with serious health issues.. 800-222-2225. https://www.nia.nih.gov/
Well Spouse Association – provides support for spousal caregivers, including a national network of support groups and an online chat forum. 800-838-0879. https://wellspouse.org/
VA (Veterans Administration) National Caregiver Support Line (CSL) – serves as a primary resource/referral center to assist caregivers, Veterans, and others seeking caregiver information. VA’s Caregiver Support Line has licensed caring professionals standing by. The National Caregiver Support Line, at 1-855-260-3274, is open weekdays, Monday through Friday from 5am to 5pm PST. https://www.caregiver.va.gov/help_landing.asp
Alzheimer’s Association – Information and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Operates a 24-hour helpline every day and offers care navigator tools. 800-272-3900. http://www.alz.org/
Alzheimers.gov – a federal government website focusing on Alzheimer’s and dementia care, research and support, including resources for caregivers. 800-438-4380. https://www.alzheimers.gov
Memory Cafe Directory – lists more than 700 memory cafés offered in hospitals, libraries, senior centers and other facilities to help people with dementia and other cognitive issues, as well as their caregivers, combat social isolation and connect with others in similar situations. https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/
AARP care guides – FREE, in-depth information and advice on starting vital conversations with older family members, organizing important documents, assessing your loved one’s needs and finding key resources.
Warmline – ROCC – Recovery Outreach Community Center – One On One Peer Support VIA Phone With Certified Peer Support Specialists – 971-718-8668 – 10am-6pm PST – Every Day
Peer Support Number: 971-718-8668 10am-6pm Every Day
Peer support is about connecting with someone in a way that contributes to both people learning and growing. There’s no assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. It’s about helping each other understand how we’ve come to know what we know, and moving toward what we want, instead of just getting away from what we don’t want.
One on One Peer support via phone is available with certified Peer Support Specialists
Warmline – CPSCO – Connections Peer Support Center – Outreach Warmline @ 1-800-809-6262 – 2pm – 7pm PST – Weekdays and Weekends
@ Phone
Ever wish you had someone to talk to? Someone who is supportive, caring and non-judgmental? Someone who is understanding and empathetic to your feelings? The Warm Line is a non-crisis toll-free line and is specifically, but not limited to, people who are coping with a mental health concern.
We are Los Angeles County’s first after-hours telephone line for individuals with mental health challenges and are staffed entirely by peers with lived experience. We are available to listen when traditional mental health services are closed.
The Warm Line supporters can also provide referrals to services or organizations that are of interest, such as healthcare facilities, mental health services, family planning agencies, shelters, self-help and support groups, and much more.
Our Warm Line was recognized as an innovative program by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH).
Fore more information about Warm Lines in the United States, click here: warmline.org
LCPRS – Life Connections Peer Recovery Services – Life Wellness/Self-Care Group – Weekdays
@ Join Via Website
Life Connections understands the need for individuals who are needing support and may not be able to travel or want the comfort of their own home. We offer remote support by virtual and phone capabilities. We want to offer a way for you to stay physically distant but stay socially engaged. We offer support groups, one on one support, and just that socialization that we all need. Join group any time during the posted time.
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