COVID-19 Resources for Emotional and Mental Health
The current COVID-19 outbreak has presented individuals with difficult and uncertain times. Hospice of Washington County understands that people need assistance not only with the challenges but with intense responses that individuals may have related to this pandemic. Hospice of Washington is there for you, and we would like to provide you with support to help community members. We have compiled a list of resources to assist you with some of these intense responses such has control, isolation, hopelessness, fear, anxiety/panic, suicidal tendencies, as well as traumatic grief and loss. There are also resources for issues related to mental health, self-harm/abuse, neglect, eating disorders, chronic pain, substance abuse and recovery require a high level of professional care. We hope that this will help you during this unprecedented time.
- Maryland Help Line: Dial 2.1.1 or go to: 211md.org
- Call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.
- You can be connected with Washington County Mobile Crisis Services by calling 911. A trained mental health provider can assist and respond to immediate needs.
COVID-19 Support
- Coping with Grief at Home: 10-Day Challenge
- What's Your Grief?
- National Center for PTSD: Resources for Maintaining Stress
- Social Isolation: Impact on Health and Interventions
- COVID-19 Bereavement Considerations
Grief During the Holidays
Although many people consider the holidays, “the most wonderful time of the year,” it can actually be one of the toughest times of the year for those who are struggling with grief and loss. People often begin to experience immense sorrow, feelings of anger, depression, loneliness and sadness right around Thanksgiving and continuing into the new year. While others may be enjoying the sights and sounds of the holidays; the music, lights, holiday parties and festive decorations that are meant to bring us joy, all of those things may also serve as painful reminders of our loss. Our loved one is not with us physically, so it can be difficult to feel connected to those around us, and to the purpose of the holiday season.
If you’re wondering how to get through the holidays this year without your loved one, here are some things to think about that might be helpful:
- Remember that grief is a part of the healing process. Some people may be resistant to actually sitting with the feelings they’re feeling, and experiencing the full range of emotions that accompany grief and loss. But, giving yourself permission to feel the loss, is part of the healing. Oftentimes people will try to escape, avoid or medicate feelings by over-indulging in food, drinking too much alcohol, or by just being too busy, instead of giving themselves the freedom to acknowledge and sit with their experience. Attempting to pretend the holidays don’t exist or numbing the pain of loss simply prolongs the anguish. Allowing yourself to experience your feelings is a healthy step toward healing from loss.
- Be patient with yourself. Realize that it’s not going to be easy, and do only those things that are special, meaningful or important to you. It’s okay to set healthy boundaries and not feel like you have to agree to every request; be willing to say no if that’s what you need. Eliminate the unnecessary, and set appropriate limits on what you do and what you spend. Do not over commit yourself.
- Make a plan. Realize that this is going to be a new holiday - very different than holidays of the past. Think about changing some traditions or starting new ones.
- Build in times to relax over the holidays; take time to just breathe, remember and reflect.
- Take the initiative and make your own plans if you do not want to be alone over the holidays. Invite a neighbor to join you, throw your own party, or sit quietly with someone you feel safe and vulnerable with during those difficult days. Do something you truly enjoy-don’t do things just out of obligation or to please someone else.
- Some of the worst holiday stress arrives post-season. Plan something pleasant in January and February to help diminish the letdown.
- If stress, anxiety, depression, or loneliness become overwhelming, it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional. It’s okay to ask for help.
- Think ahead about a response you might give to someone who says, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year.”
- Be patient with those who are unaware of the death. Think of a way to let them know in advance.
- Find a way to honor your memories. Consider creating a special way to remember and memorialize the person you’ve lost. Whether you decide to place a special ornament on your tree, light a candle every night, or fix your loved one’s favorite food, honoring your loved one is a tangible reminder that although the person we love is gone, the love never dies.
General Assistance
- 211 Maryland
- Maryland Emergency Management Agency Facebook Page/ Maryland Senior Citizen Free Daily Phone Check-In
Mental Health
For Children/Families
- How to Explain Coronavirus to Kids
- Helping Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus
- Strategies for Managing Anxiety and Fear for You and Your Children
- Answering Children's Questions
- PBS Kids: How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus
- Highmark Caring Place
Acitivites for Children
Resource Hotline Numbers:
Maryland Crisis Hotline
1-800-422-0009
TDD line 410-531-5086
Domestic Abuse and Child Abuse Hotline
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Child Abuse Hotline -- 800-4-A-CHILD (800 422 4453)
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National Domestic Violence Hotline -- 800-799-7233
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Missing & Exploited Children Hotline -- 1-800-843-5678
Drug and Alcohol
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National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)-- 1-800-622-2255
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Partnership for Drug-Free Kids -- 1-855-DRUGFREE or text your message to 55753
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) -- 1-800-662-4357
Eating Disorders
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National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) HelpLine -- 1-800-931-2237 or text NEDA to 741741
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National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders(ANAD) -- 630-577-1330
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Overeater’s Anonymous -- Click link to find a meeting near you
Learning Disabilities and ADHD
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Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Resource Center (CHADD) -- 1-800-233-4050
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National Center for Learning Disabilities -- 1-888-575-7373
Mental Health Crisis Lines / Suicide Hotlines
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Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 1-800-273-TALK
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Trevor HelpLine / Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Teens -- 1-866-488-7386
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Crisis Text Line -- Text HOME to 741741
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Gay & Lesbian National Hotline -- 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)
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IMAlive -- online crisis chat
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National Runaway Safeline -- 1-800-RUNAWAY (chat available on website)
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Teenline -- 310-855-4673 or text TEEN to 839863 (teens helping teens)
Rape and Sexual Assault
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Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network (RAINN) -- 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
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Sexual Abuse - Stop It Now! -- 1-888-PREVENT
STD / AIDS
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AIDS National Hotline -- 1-800-342-2437
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Project Inform HIV/AIDS Treatment Infoline -- 800-822-7422
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Project Inform Hepatitis C Helpline -- 1-877-435-7443
Non-Profit Groups for Illnesses & Disorders Government Agencies
AIDS
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety/ Panic
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Panic Disorder Information Hotline -- 1-800-64-PANIC
Bipolar and Depression
Chronic Pain
Domestic Violence
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National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (24 hrs)
Eating Disorders
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National Eating Disorders Association
International treatment referrals and information -
Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
Referrals to treatment and Information
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Massachusetts Eating Disorder Association, Inc Helpline
1-617-558-1881
Staffed by trained/supervised individuals. M-Friday 9:30-5:00pm. Wednesday evenings until 8:00pm
Gambling
LGBTQ+
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GLBT National Help Center
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender national hotline
1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)
Mental Health
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Mental Health America
(800) 969-6MHA
In crisis? Call: 1-800-273-TALK
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National Alliance on Mental Illness
1-800-950-NAMI (950-6264)
Self-Harm/Self-Abuse
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SAFE (Self-Abuse Finally Ends)
Alternative Information Line
800-DONT-CUT (355-8288)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Substance Abuse/Recovery
For problems, issues or illnesses not listed above, contact the following:
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National Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse
1-800-553-4539
Child Abuse and Neglect
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National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
703-235-3900 -
Child Help USA
Info & referrals to local agencies; crisis counseling. Info & referrals to local agencies; crisis counseling.
1-800-4-A-CHILD (24 hrs) -
National Council on Child Abuse & Family Violence
Info & referrals on child abuse & other types of family violence. Visit the website for your local toll-free numbers. -
Stop It Now1
Prevention of sexual abuse of children
1-800-PREVENT confidential line -
Health Resources and Service Administration
The HRSA Information Center provides publications, information, resources, and referrals about health care services -
National Center for Victims of Crime
Resource and advocacy for crime victims. Stalking and dating violence resource centers
Missing Children
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Child Find of America
Prevention and resolution of child abduction
1-800-I AM LOST -
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
703-235-3900 -
National Runaway Switchboard
Keeps America's runaway and at-risk kids safe and off the streets
1-800-RUNAWAY
Youth Issues/Problem Parenting
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Covenant House NineLine
Referrals for youth or parents re: drugs, homelessness, runaways, etc. Message relays, reports of abuse. Helps parents with problems with their kids. If all counselors are busy, stay on the line & one will be with you as soon as possible.
1-800-999-9999 (24 hrs)
NIH'S Institute
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA
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National Institute of Child Health and Human Development NICHD
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National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA
301-443-1124 -
National Institute of Mental Health NIMH
1-866-615-6464 -
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
1-888-644-6226