LCSD COVID-19 Mental Health Awareness Volume I | Page 18
HOW TO COPE WITH SHELTERING IN PLACE
STAY CONNECTED
Staying connected with family, friends, and
others you trust is one of the most helpful ways
to cope with any stressful situation. Because of
advances in technology, it’s possible to connect
with others during a shelter in place situation.
You can:
Take advantage of current technology such
as Skype or FaceTime to talk “face to face”
with friends and loved ones.
If you need to connect with someone
because of an ongoing alcohol or drug
problem, consider calling your local
Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics
Anonymous offices.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTORS ABOUT
TELEHEALTH
Many health care providers can now interact
with patients via Skype, FaceTime, or email. In
an emergency requiring sheltering in place for
several days or longer, such as an infectious
disease outbreak:
Ask your provider whether it would be
possible to schedule remote appointments
for mental health, substance use, or physical
health needs.
Check in with people regularly using text
messaging.
Plug into social media sites such as Facebook
and Twitter to gain insight into what is going
on in the world—just be sure that sources
you follow are credible and avoid sites that
produce stress or worry.
Sign up for emergency alerts via text or email
to ensure you get updates as soon as they’re
available.
Call SAMHSA’s free 24-hour Disaster
Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, if you
feel lonely or need support.
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If you’re worried about physical symptoms
you or your loved ones may be experiencing,
call your doctor or other health care provider.
In the event that your doctor is unavailable
during shelter in place and you are feeling
stressed or are in crisis, call the hotline
numbers listed at the end of this tip sheet for
support.
Toll-Free: 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) | [email protected] | http://store.samhsa.gov