Psychosocial Resources for Surviving a Quarantine

Staying home as much as possible helps keep ourselves and our community safer as the coronavirus pandemic grows, but it can be a challenge to mental health. Even those who are not usually prone to depression or anxiety may be experiencing the effects. And for those who already had mental illness of any kind, this may be a trying time indeed.

While living and connecting primarily through the internet may not be ideal under normal circumstances, for this kind of crisis it is an enormous aid. To help you find essential supports for maintaining your stability, we have compiled a number of great internet-based resources below.

Remember to start with the basics: sleep, nutrition, exercise, and social support, to give yourself the best foundation for managing your moods and emotions. And consider remote therapy if you need support.

Resources for mental health / recovery:

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)
NA Online Meetings (Narcotics Anonymous)
Headspace – Mindfulness for your everyday life
Calm Harm – Worried about self-harm? (App)
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Disaster Distress Helpline
NASADAD (National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors)
CDC: Manage Anxiety & Stress
Wired: How to work from home without losing your mind
Mental Health support for undocumented families: Informed Immigrant

Help with medical issues

World Health Organization: Managing Epidemics (interactive PDF)
Harvard Health Publishing: Coronavirus Resource Center
Emergency Essentials: 10 First Aid Resources You Should Know About
Mission to Learn: Learn to save a life – 10 Free Online First Aid Resources
Teacher Planet: First Aid Resources, Activities, Printables
Nursing Guide: Basic First Aid Resources
CDC: Testing in the U.S.
Science Alert: Should I be Tested?
Teledoc: How it works (benefits vary)
Advent Health: Coronavirus Quarantine: How to Prepare Your Family
Royal College of Midwives, Scotland: Pregnancy and COVID-19
La Leche League: Breastfeeding and Coronavirus

What to do if your child is sick:

Kids Health from Nemours: Coronavirus (COVID-19): What to do if your child is sick
Kids Health from Nemours: Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Talk to Your Child
NPR Special Series Life Kit: Coronavirus And Parenting: What You Need To Know Now
Harvard Health: How to talk to children about the coronavirus
CDC: Get your home ready
Market Watch: How does coronavirus affect children? How to talk to your kids about COVID-19 — and help them protect themselves

Lancaster information:

Lancaster Local News

Help with sleep:

MITMedical: Stress Reduction, Mindfulness & Relaxation
Sound Sleep Solutions – Especially useful tracks for getting to sleep (should only be 99c to buy): tracks 2 & 3
Insight Timer
RainRain Sleep Sounds (App)
Youtube Sleep Videos
HayHouse – Live radio and some free podcasts, videos, webinars for mindfulness, health and healing

Help with food / eating