Mental Health Tips

Resources

Online Counseling (Telemental Health)

  • Talk Space
    • Get an Assessment - Chat with a matching therapist to identify your therapy needs.
    • Choose the Right Plan - Choose a payment plan that suits your budget. Plans start at $65/wk.
    • Find Your Match - We’ll help you find the best therapist for you.
    • Begin therapy - Start messaging your primary therapist anytime, anywhere.
  • BetterHelp
    • Answer a few questions about yourself and the challenges you’re currently facing.
    • Create a private username and password to get access to the system
    • Enter payment information. Plans start at $40/week and you can apply for financial aid.
    • Based on your needs, we’ll match you with a qualified licensed professional counselor. If you are not satisfied, you can switch at any time.
    • Begin the counseling process in any way that you want: text, phone or video.

Finding Treatment for Mental Illness and/or Substance Abuse Disorder

Teens

  • Have Hope: Teen suicide prevention resources. Partnership between Community Health Network and WTHR-TV Channel 13.  
    • TEXT “IN” TO 741741 or CALL 800.273.8255

Children

Resource for Treatment Providers Regarding Caring for Patient’s Emotional Well-Being

Outreach to the Hispanic/Latinx Community

Grief & Loss

  • Helping Children Cope with Change: Resource for parents as we continue to navigate this time. There are some useful tips here on how families can adapt/adjust to their new normal.
  • Supporting Children and Teens when Someone is Dying: Helpful guide for parents as they navigate talking their child if they know a family member is dying. This has been edited to speak to COVID-19 and how families can talk about what is going on with the family member as well as honor them.
  • Grief During COVID-19: This document talks about how families can support one another while grieving during this time.

How do I explain COVID-19 to my family?

Don’t be afraid to discuss COVID-19 with your children, but let them guide the conversation. It is important to provide facts without promoting a high level of stress. Remind your children that the adults are working to address this concern and give them actions they can take to protect themselves.

  • Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should balance COVID-19 facts with appropriate reassurances that their schools and homes are safe and the adults are there to help keep them healthy. Give simple examples of the steps people take every day to stop germs and stay healthy, such as washing hands. Use language such as “adults are working hard to keep you safe.”
  • Upper elementary and intermediate school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 comes to their school or community. They may need assistance separating reality from rumor and fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to prevent germs from spreading.
  • Junior high school and high school children are able to discuss the issue in a more in-depth (adult-like) fashion and can be referred directly to appropriate sources of COVID-19 facts. Provide honest, accurate, and factual information about the current status of COVID-19. Having such knowledge can help them feel a sense of control.
  • Remain calm and reassuring. 
    • Children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions.
  • Make yourself available.
    • It is important that they know they have someone who will listen to them.
  • Avoid excessive blaming.
    • It is important to avoid stereotyping any one group of people as responsible for the virus.
  • Be honest and accurate.
    • In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality.
  • Focus on what you’re doing to stay safe. 
    • An important way to reassure kids is to emphasize the safety precautions that you are taking.