Managing mental and emotional needs

Thinking about COVID-19 can be overwhelming. If you or your loved ones are feeling anxious, worried, angry, or helpless, you are not alone. Here are some healthy ways to address those feelings:

Limit the news. Regulate the amount of time you spend watching or reading about the situation. Look to reliable sources for information:

• El Paso County Public Health
• Colorado Department of Health and Environment
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough rest and exercise.

Do things you enjoy. Read a book, watch movies or TV shows that you have meant to catch up on, learn to cook something new, or do some spring cleaning. Use the web to find online activities (some examples include Metropolitan Opera and the Pikes Peak Library District).

Take control.  There are many actions you can take in your daily life to cope with stress, including preparing your household, protecting yourself while running errands and caring for children and pets.

Avoid making assumptions. Someone coughing or sneezing does not necessarily have COVID-19. Maintain the required physical distance of six feet and remain empathetic to those around you.

Stay Connected.  Use virtual resources (such as FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp) to connect with friends and family on a regular basis. 

Volunteer.  If you are healthy, consider volunteering your time to support organizations that are considered critical businesses. Some have opportunities to volunteer from home.  A list of local and immediate needs can be found here.

• Donate blood
• Foster or adopt an animal

• Contact your health care provider or insurance company for confidential resources. They can provide you with a list of in-network and local behavioral health providers.
• If your employer has an Employee Assistance Program, they can provide you with referrals to behavioral health specialists. 
• Use the web. Please see these sites if you are feeling overwhelmed or just want to decrease your stress level:
  • Man Therapy: www.mantherapy.org
  • Headspace: www.headspace.com
  • GRIT: https://grit.uccs.edu/
  • Mental Health America: www.mhanational.org
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: www.namicoloradosprings.org
• Responding to Behavioral Health Concerns in El Paso County

•  Diversus Health is a designated mental health provider of the Colorado Crisis Program (CCP) COVID-19 Disaster Response. Their outreach counselors provide confidential, FREE short-term services throughout El Paso, Teller, Park, Elbert, Cheyenne, Lincoln, and Kit Carson counties. 
  • Email: [email protected] or call (719) 299-2996 to get started today. 
  • Please click here for more information
• Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence (BTSADV) - Led by survivor-volunteers who serve victims, survivors and families affected by domestic violence
  • Helpline: 855-BTS-1777
  • https://breakthesilencedv.org
• Colorado Crisis Line - A free, confidential text or phone line to connect you with trained counselors, 24/7 right here in Colorado
  • Hotline: 1-844-493-TALK
  • Text “TALK” to 38255
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Colorado Springs — Support Groups
  • https://www.namicoloradosprings.org/
• Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention - Staff and volunteers are standing by to keep you connected during this time.
  • Call (719) 573-7447
  • Text (719) 232-4875 
  • Email [email protected]
• TESSA - Provides free and voluntary services to people experiencing domestic violence, including a safehouse for women, children and other victims escaping abuse.
  • 24-Hour Safe Line: 719-633-3819
  • https://www.tessacs.org/