Notice Regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Mental Health Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world and to our fellow healthcare workers. As the impact of this situation grows in the Treasure Valley, we would like to share the steps that we are taking to keep our Associates and Patients safe.

• Screening associates and patients for respiratory illness. If someone is ill, they are asked to stay home
• Disinfecting many times per day
• We are investigating telemedicine options and working to offer this very soon for our clinics

Steps to take to protect yourself:

• Clean your hands often with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid Close Contact with people
• Stay Home If You Are Sick. Learn what to do if you are sick
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow
• Wear a facemask if you are sick
• Clean and disinfect often

Practice Good Mental Health Care:

• Use your smartphone or tablet to stay connected to family and friends. Shift from texting to voice or video calling to feel more connected.
• Keep comfortable. Do the things you already enjoy doing at home; just do more of them.
• Practice stress relief whenever you feel anxiety building – do some deep breathing, exercise, read, meditation, arts and crafts – whatever works for you.
• Don’t do anything you’d consider to be unhealthy for you, such as excess alcoholic drinking – that will just increase your anxiety afterwards.
• Keep looking forward. Make some plans for six months down the road.

Links for self care:

• Taking care of your Behavioral health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
• Coping with Stress During an Infectous Disease outbreak https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4885.pdf
• Parent/Caregiver Guide to helping families cope https://www.nctsn.org/resources/parent-caregiver-guide-to-helping-families-cope-with-the-coronavirus-disease-2019
• Talking to Children about COVID 19 https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/Docs/latest_news/2020/Coronavirus_COVID19__Children.pdf

Get Help Now:

• NAMI Helpline: This is a free service that provides information, referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., ET. The number is 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
• Crisis Text Line – Text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
• SAMHSA 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.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in crisis—whether they are considering suicide or not—please call the toll-free Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.

Resources:

• https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/
• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019