Mental Health
This is a difficult time for everyone. It is important now more than ever that you take some time to take care of your mental health in addition to your physical health. We’re in this together.
- Reach out for support
- Michigan PEER Warm-Line: Staffed by peer support specialists, the warm-line is for those living with serious mental health and/or substance use challenges. Provides resource referral and shared experience of recovery and hope. Call: 1-888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753)
- National Disaster Distress Helpline: Offers 24/7 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress. Call: 1-800-985-5950 or Text: 66746
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Provides free and confidential support 24/7 to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call: 1-800-273-8255 or Visit: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Stay connected to your loved ones and community as we engage in social distancing to keep each other safe.
- Call or video-chat family or friends. Science shows that hearing a loved one’s voice comforts the brain.
- Gather safely as you feel comfortable.
- Notice if you’re not reaching out because of low mood rather than social distancing reasons.
- Check in with someone you trust for a few minutes every day.
- Routines help us feel more grounded when things feel out of our control.
- Staying active with things that feel productive and fun can help us manage the extra stress and anxiety.
- Make a schedule for how you’ll structure today to balance work with time for self-care, relaxation, and social connection.
- Limit information overload.
- Set a time limit for focusing on coronavirus anxiety and plan mental health breaks to allow your body and mind time to recharge.
- Get the information you need from the links below. Moderate other news intake and limit exposure to mass hysteria online.
- Most accurate and up-to-date Berrien County information: www.bchdmi.org
- Michigan information: www.michigan.gov/coronavirus
- National information: www.cdc.gov/COVID19
- Global information: www.who.int/coronavirus
- Practice deep breathing exercises, mindfulness or other methods of meditation.
- It’s easy for our worries to get ahead of the current moment. As we face uncertainty it’s important to stay grounded in the present.
- Michiganders can access a specially-curated collection of guided meditations, at-home workouts that guide people through mindful exercises, sleep and kids content to help address rising stress and anxiety. Available for free.
Additional Resources
- Manage Anxiety & Stress During Coronavirus (English, Spanish) - An overview from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that provides tips for people in general, parents, first responders and those released from quarantine:
- Mental Health & COVID-19 - Advice, resources, and messages from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Helping Young Kids through the COVID-19 Crisis - Quick tips from Zero to Thrive and Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry
- Parenting During COVID-19 from Zero to Thrive.
- Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health - tips for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Substance Abuse Addiction & Recovery - resources for addiction and recovery from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs from University of Michigan Medicine.