Coronavirus (COVID-19)

When things feel uncertain or when we don’t generally feel safe, it’s normal to feel stressed. In times like these, our mental health can suffer. If you are struggling, know that help is available. Call, text or chat 988 for free, confidential support. 

Below is a collection of resources and information available to you during this time. 

Caring for Yourself or Your Loved Ones

• SAMHSA’s Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak
• Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak
• Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
• Coronavirus Anxiety – Helpful Expert Tips and Resources
• Mental Health and COVID-19

Caring for your Children

• Helping Children Cope Emotionally with the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helpline Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• NAMI SD Youth Mental Health Guide
• Mental Health Resources for Parents and Caregivers during COVID-19
• Supporting Children During COVID-19

Behavioral Health Professionals 

• Treating Suicidal Patients during COVID-19
• Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19
• Considerations for the Care and Treatment of Mental and Substance Use Disorders in the COVID-19 Epidemic

Educators

• Navigating Back to School: Trauma Informed Return to Learn Model for All Members of the School Community

Celebrating the Holidays During COVID-19

• Tips on Celebrating the Holidays while Social Distancing 

Hotlines

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call, text or chat 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor.
• The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
• The South Dakota Resource Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year—for free, confidential support, whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one’s substance use. Trained specialists are able to answer all kinds of questions and can help you get started on your path to recovery by providing immediate assistance so you can connect with services in your area. And, they can support you all along the way to sobriety. Call 1-800-920-4343 or text ONMETH to 898211 for immediate support. 
• 211 provides resource information on non-profit, social service, and government programs. When you dial 2-1-1, you talk to real people trained to help and connect you to the right resources, organizations, or people. 211 answers calls 24/7. Call 211 or text your five-digit zip code to 898211 to connect. 
• South Dakota has a statewide Domestic Violence Hotline. This line can be accessed 24/7 by those in domestic violence situations, friends or concerned loved ones. The Domestic Violence Hotline provides crisis intervention, support, and referrals to local crisis shelters in the state. Call 1-800-430-7233 to reach the Domestic Violence Hotline.
• To report child abuse or neglect, please call 1-877-244-0864. Intake Specialists are available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. If reporting an emergency situation before 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM, on the weekends, or during a holiday, please contact your local law enforcement.

Other COVID-19 Resource Lists 

• South Dakota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Website
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) Resources to Support Mental Health and Coping with Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention COVID-19 Messaging Guidance
• Zero Suicide Institute (ZSI) Providing Suicide Care During COVID-19
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Page
• Education Development Center (EDC) Resources for the COVID-19 Crisis

For more information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) please visit the South Dakota Department of Health’s website covid.sd.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.