Mental Health Resources
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be stressful for many people. It is natural for adults and children alike to feel strong emotions during an emergency. Keeping our community strong and safe includes taking care of yourself and each other.
As we navigate through this time, here are some mental health resources, which include coping mechanisms and tips for staying positive, as well as resources and helplines for those who are experiencing more serious mental health needs.
Please visit michigan.gov/staywell to find a comprehensive list of emotional-support services for Michigan residents. Below you will find other mental health resources our office has compiled.
Resources on How to Care for Yourself and Others:
Stay Home, Stay MIndful: the Stay Home, Stay MIndful website in partnership with Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide a new mental health resource for Michiganders to access for free during the COVID-19 pandemic facing both the state and nation. The website offers specially-curated collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations, along with at-home workouts that guide people through mindful exercises, sleep and kids content to help address rising stress and anxiety.
Managing Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 may be stressful and overwhelming for many. These resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer tips on coping with stress to help make you, those you care about, and our community stronger.
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health during an Emergency: It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after a disaster. Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you think clearly to protect yourself and help your long-term healing. These resources from the CDC offer tips to cope with a disaster, and tools on knowing when and how to seek help.
In February, I held a Mental Health Town Hall featuring the Michigan Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI has created a coronavirus resource guide that includes a helpline, coping tips, and frequently asked questions.
Targeted Resources for Certain Individuals:
For children: This time can be challenging to explain to children, regardless of their age. These resources from the CDC offer advice, targeted activity materials, and other tools to meet your child’s needs during this time.
For teens: These tips from UNICEF are to help teenagers protect their mental health during COVID-19.
For State and Local Governments: These resources from the CDC are to help state and local health departments manage mental health during a disaster.
For Community and Religious Leaders: Community and religious organizations play a critical role in helping communities and individuals cope during and after a disaster. These resources from the CDC offer guidance for community and religious leaders to support coping and when to refer someone to professional help.
For Emergency Responders: Our incredible emergency responders face stressful and even life-threatening situations to keep us all safe. These resources from the CDC provide information to help emergency responders with stress prevention and management.
For Military and First Responders: REBOOT Recovery exists to help veterans, first responders and their families heal from the wounds associated with service-related trauma. They offer trauma healing courses – REBOOT Combat Recovery and REBOOT First Responders.
Important Numbers and Helpline Information:
If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, please call these numbers:
- In the event of an immediate emergency, call 911
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline provides toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential support to people in crisis or distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-800-273-8255
- The Wayne State University School of Social Work and the College of Nursing in collaboration with other Wayne State departments has launched a crisis hotline for Metro Detroit first responders and healthcare professionals working on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak. The phone number to the hotline is 1-888-910-1636, and counselors will be available Mondays through Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Calls to the crisis line will be free and confidential, and callers will not be asked to provide any identifying information.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching a statewide warmline for Michiganders living with persistent mental health conditions. The warmline will connect individuals with certified peer support specialists who have lived experiences of behavioral health issues, trauma or personal crises, and are trained to support and empower the callers. The warmline will operate seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753). It is intended to serve individuals living with persistent mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and trauma. Individuals in crisis, including those considering suicide, are urged to contact the Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 at 800-985-5990.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched a Crisis text Line. By texting the keyword RESTORE to 741741, Michigan residents can have a confidential text conversation with a crisis counselor. The text conversation is confidential and individuals will receive referrals to local mental health resources and connections.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA) in partnership with the Michigan State Police released Stay Well counseling services. Michigan Stay Well counselors are available any time, day or night, by dialing the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 and pressing 8 when prompted. Language translation is available for non-English speakers.