The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT
A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP)
COVID-19 Resources & Information
Create structure in your day.
Being on lockdown is disorienting. To rebalance, plan out a daily schedule with your household members that incorporates work/school time; together time; check-in calls with friends or neighbors; doing something creative; doing something relaxing; and getting exercise. The 8 Dimensions of Wellness model offers a way to stay balanced. And be sure to create distance between work and personal time, even if working at home!
Get outside.
Fresh air, sunlight, and exercise (at a safe distance!) are all good for your mental wellbeing and physical health. A fun inclusive way to exercise is Oak Hill CT's Adaptive Gym classes on Facebook Live and YouTube, which people of all abilities can do together, or Toivo's daily online wellness activities such as yoga and Qi-Gong.
Practice gratitude.
Be grateful for things little and big. Challenged by distance learning? It's still an opportunity to spend more time with kids. Missing company? What a great time to start Zoom dinners and games with remote friends. Bored out of your mind? See it as an opportunity to get household projects done or learn a new craft. Check out this daily evening inventory from BlessingManifesting.
Coping with Anxiety
Helpful Resources
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CDC tips for yourself, parents, responders, and people released from quarantine here.
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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention tips for self-care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty.
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Wide range of resources for different audiences, in English and Spanish, from PsychHub here
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Resources for people living with mental illness and their families from Mental Health America here
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COVID-19 Mental Wellness Video Series by the Town of Darien
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The Hub's blog post on Mental Health Awareness & COVID-19 for Fairfield County's Community Foundation here
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"Self Care More Important Now than Ever, Mental Health Providers Say" - Read article.
Crisis Lines and Warmlines
Soundview Warmline
Warmline provides active listening/peer support to people with mental illness or mental health issues. Service is NOT intended for people who are in crisis and/or suicidal.
For Young Adults
If for any reason you have trouble getting through, send a text to (860) - 549 -2435 with your name and a callback number.
Reach Out Connecticut
Available in English & Spanish
You can also visit their website for resources or Text "CTALK" to 30241 to enroll in FREE text message support program.
Friendship Line: Institute on Aging
24-hour toll-free Friendship Line for people aged 60+, and adults with disabilities.
Mental Health Support Services
Download a Complete List of FREE Peer Support Groups for Behavioral Health
in Southwest Connecticut (for individuals & families)
View more support groups from the Women's Center.
Living with Loss Support Group
This support group is also for anyone that had a loss during COVID and wasn't able to grieve properly
Visit their website for a complete list of offerings.
Addiction Recovery Support Services
For Parents
NPR’s Just For Kids presents a comic
exploring Coronavirus
PBS KIDS’ Daniel Tiger explains How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
AhaParenting.com identifies possible concerns kids may have, including the worry that their parents may die, here
The Search Institute focuses on how to Respond to Fear and Scapegoating During the Coronavirus Epidemic
The National Association of School Psychologists has downloadable factsheets in English & Spanish, and links to factsheets on coping stress during infectious disease outbreaks
Great advice from Positive Directions (Westport) and the Search Institute (click here to open and scroll through images)
Spanish: Cómo hablar con los niños sobre el coronavirus from Child Mind Institute here
Social-Emotional Learning Alliance
Resources for the US here
The Child Mind Institute has a variety of resources and tip sheets to help families cope with the pandemic and mental health issues that arise.
Videos & discussion resources to support resilience and prevent substance use for middle and high school students and families from "Natural High" here
Courageous Parenting online education for parents around substance use awareness and prevention, from Norwalk-based Courage to Speak, here
Check-in At Home activities from the CT-based Jordan Porco Foundation (creator of Fresh Check Day) -- click here.
For Providers & Employers
Behavioral health providers
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The National Council on Behavioral Health has compiled resources for providers on managing policies, resources, finances, teletherapy, human resources, etc. here.
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SAMHSA's COVID page has info on training and TA, PPE, grants, telehealth, providing outpatient and MAT in a virtual world, info for first responders & more here.
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Resource list for social workers from Mental Health License Map here.
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TherapyNotes has useful guidance for therapists implementing telehealth here.
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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has a FAQ on Telehealth and HIPAA during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.
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Telehealth Certification Training for Mental Health Professionals from PESI.
employers
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Mental health and substance use resources for employers during & after COVID from the National Safety Council here.
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Workplace reintegration toolkit from Mental Health America of Greater Dallas here.
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Downloadable PDFs on different topics from PsychHub here.
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6 step plan for employers going back to work here.
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CT Business Resources here.
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CT Information for Workers & Employers here.