Mental Health | coronavirus

Mental Health Resources

A new report from the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) shows the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on Utahns’ mental and behavioral health.

Download full report (PDF)

Summary report (PDF)

Summary report (Español)

It is normal to feel uncertainty, worry or stress because of social distancing, financial strain, distance learning and other life adjustments.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Positive wellbeing and looking for the good things in your life can help you stay mentally healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are some mental health strategies and resources you may find useful at this time.

How are you feeling?

Take a mental health assessment and find resources in your area ready to help.

Mental Health Assessment

Mental Health Treatment Locator Map

Coping with the holidays and COVID-19

The holiday season can be a time of happiness. With COVID-19, it may also add stress and a reminder of how the world has changed.

The Utah Strong Recovery Project is here to offer you free support. Counselors are available to talk through your anxiety, loneliness or worry. Available daily 7am – 7pm.

Call/text or email:

385-386-2289

utahstrong@utah.org

Help for Adults

BEHAVIORAL	PHYSICAL	EMOTIONAL	THINKING
Difficulty helping others or taking help from others	Headaches or other pain	Feeling anxious	Feeling confused
Increase in irritability or worrying	Changes in appetite	Feeling angry	Difficulty remembering things
Not wanting to talk or be with others	Easily startled	Feeling sad or depressed	Difficulty concentrating, or paying attention
Difficulty relaxing or sleeping	Stomach aches	Not caring about anything	Difficulty making decisions

Seek information from legitimate sources and limit time you spend on news and social media
Take care of yourself first, then you can help others
Connect with others daily via phone, text and video chat
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise or physical activity every day
Do things to help you relax: deep breaths, stretching and meditation, a short walk, reading or listening to music
Spend time with your household family in positive ways
Get some alone time
When it feels like you have too much to do, take small breaks during the day
Ask for support, including professional support if needed. Asking for help is a sign of strength; none of us can do this alone.

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Fear and anxiety about a disease, overwhelm due to an uncertain timeline or future, and isolation can cause strong emotions in adults and children.

People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plan, and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Those who do not have a preexisting condition, or have completed a treatment plan, may find this time triggering. The following are resources and ideas for self-support. (downloadable PDF version here.)

Emergency services:
UNI Crisis line: 801-587-3000

Non-emergency talk services:

Talk to another mom on the Postpartum Support International National Helpline: 1- 800-944-4773
Intermountain emotional support line: 833.442.2211

For a mom looking for a Utah-based support group, therapist, or other provider type:

Visit: maternalmentalhealth.utah.gov – The resources listed offer online services (you’ll see a button in the top right corner of the provider if they offer online services). This means they do therapy online, or offer support groups online.
Free Utah-based support group, every Thursday through St. Mark’s. 10:00-11:30am, Meeting ID: 625 927 491, password: momsmatter (Download WebEx meetings on phone or other device, and type in the above information to join)

Social Media Support:

This facebook groups is specifically for moms, and will keep them company during a virtual walk: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WalkTheBlueDot
Moms United through COVID-19 Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807461376434750

Online Support Groups (free, national):

Peer-led support group: https://www.thebloomfoundation.org/mom-support-group/
Free MomsWell support groups for expecting and new moms: https://getmomswell.com/vsg/
Other perinatal support groups: https://www.supportgroupscentral.com/topic_detail.cfm?cno=22
More online support group meetings (including NICU group, military group, and general pregnant/postpartum groups): https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi- online-support-meetings/
Support groups for pregnancy and postpartum, along with people in recovery, and providers providing support for moms: https://grouppeersupport.org/gps- upcoming-events/

Self-help tips to deal with anxiety:

Four tips from mental health first aid, with an awesome infographic: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2018/07/how-to-deal-with-anxiety/
Stress and coping tips: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/daily-life- coping/managing-stress- anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3 A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavi rus%2F2019- ncov%2Fprepare%2Fmanaging- stress-anxiety.html
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Caring for Young Children during COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/need-extra- precautions/pregnancy- breastfeeding.html?CDC_AA_refVal =https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov %2Fcoronavirus%2F2019- ncov%2Fprepare%2Fpregnancy- breastfeeding.html
Living with a mental illness during COVID-19: https://mhanational.org/living- mental-illness-during-covid-19- outbreak-preparing-your-wellness
March of Dimes webinar series on COVID-19 for healthy moms, NICU moms, communities of color, and bringing home baby: https://www.youtube.com/playlist ?list=PLN0BCjq-YUqZTkl2R4FqZdUEcyHJzh0OY
The Motherhood Collective series of YouTube videos: http://www.themotherhoodcollective.org/tmc-covid-19-home

Help for Kids

Talk to your children in an open and honest way about COVID-19. Children have already heard and seen things about the virus, and they need reassurance that things will be okay and that they can ask questions of someone they trust.

Mental health and stress can look differently for children than it does for adults. Children often show how they are feeling through their behaviors.

Younger children may show fear and worry by withdrawing or becoming clingy with a parent or caregiver. They may have stomach aches or changes in sleeping habits.
Older children may argue with others and seem distant from family and friends. They may act differently than usual.

BEHAVIORAL	PHYSICAL	EMOTIONAL	THINKING
Clingy	Headaches or other pain	Feeling anxious or nervous	Feeling confused
Increase in irritability or worrying	Changes in appetite or eating habits	Feeling angry	Trouble remembering
Acting out behaviors	Easily startled	Feeling sad or depressed	Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
Having trouble relaxing or sleeping	Stomach aches	Not caring about anything	Difficulty making decisions

Listen and talk about worries your child expresses--especially during play
Answer questions honestly and clearly
Limit news they see or read
Encourage positive coping activities like:
- Deep breathing
- Physical activity
- Writing in a journal
Give them choices
Have your child write or draw a hero story where they overcome a challenge
Keep a routine
Schedule meaningful family time
Be a calming example

Resources

Free COVID-10 Helpline Call/Text 385-386-2289

Emotional Health Hotline Image 833.422.2211

*Counseling in 19 languages available

Distaster Distress Helpline Image 1.800.985.5990

Offered 24/7 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

National Suicide Prevention Image 1.800.273.TALK

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress.

Safe-UT App Crisis Text and Tip Line

2-1-1 or 211utah.org Mental health, substance use or alcohol disorder resources; emergency child care for behavioral issues

Utah Parent Center resources for caregivers of individuals with special needs

WarmLine 801-587-1055
Peer support (non-crisis), 7 days a week, 8a-11p

myStrength behavioral health app.
Free with code UDHSguest33 through the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Additional Resources

University Neuropsychiatric Institute	Call 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Line
Utah Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health	Tip Sheet for Healthcare Workers https://dsamh.utah.gov/pdf/Health%20Care%20Workers%20Tip%20Sheet%20COVID19.pdf Mental Health and Substance abuse treatment providers https://dsamh.utah.gov/contact/location-map
“Coping with Stress”	U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/copingwith-stresstips.html
“Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19”	U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/coping.html
“Taking Care of your Emotional Health”	U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp
Coronavirus & Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks	American Psychiatric Association (APA) https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/apa-blog/2020/02/coronavirus-and-mental-health-taking-care-of-ourselves-during-infectious-disease-outbreaks
Speaking of Psychology: Coronavirus Anxiety	American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/coronavirus-anxiety
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19	The National Child Traumatic Stress Network https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration	Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tips-social-distancing-quarantine-isolation-031620.pdf
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)	COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide

Mental Health Downloads