The Coronavirus pandemic has placed a heavy strain on mental health and sobriety. Because we know it can be especially difficult to make healthy choices and exercise self-care during this national health crisis, we’ve assembled the following list of online resources to help you maintain your mental health and recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Join Online or Phone-in Meetings
- AA Intergroup
- Online Group AA
- AA Online Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous
Join Online Meetings in Many Formats
SMART Recovery
Other Online Meeting Platforms
- Al-Anon Meetings (English and Spanish)
- MyRecovery.com
- Intherooms.com
- Too Strong for Too Long (First Responder Virtual meetings/support)
Mental Health Apps
- Moodpath: Gauge Feelings and Thoughts (Google, Apple)
- Daylio Journal: Document Daily Moods (Google, Apple, Web)
- What’s Up: Free CBD and ACT Therapy Guide (Google, Apple)
- FearTools Anxiety Aid: Manage anxiety and breathing exercises (Google, Apple, Web)
- Mindshift: For young adults with anxious feelings (Google, Apple, Web)
Our Infographics
- 50 Home Activities to Stay in Good Spirits
- 50 Fun At-Home Activities for Kids
- 35 Work From Home Tips for Success
- 35 Tips to Cope with Social Distancing
Why Seek Care Now?
Dr. Nelson’s Support Tips
FHE Health Clinical Director, Dr. Nelson suggests tips for various topics such as staying productive and handling grief during this turbulent time.
We Encourage You to Stay S.A.F.E.!
In addition to the above online resources, remember the acronym “S.A.F.E.” to help you maintain your wellbeing and continue your recovery:
S. – Sheltered
Please follow federal and local guidelines to shelter in place and abide by travel restrictions—the exception being travel for essential needs like groceries, medications, and medical care. Yes, maintaining recovery can be difficult, especially in the stress of a pandemic. But it’s also much better than the alternative. The last thing anyone wants or needs right now is to end up in the ER, either because they didn’t follow the guidelines to shelter in place or because of a preventable relapse.
A. – Aware of Your Wellbeing
The dramatic changes in routine that you (and everyone!) have had to make during the Coronavirus outbreak can make it difficult to keep mental and emotional bearings straight— not to mention gauge how you’re really doing. The reality is that most of us are experiencing new forms of stress at unprecedented levels. Regular mental health check-ins are therefore imperative. These can be quick and relatively painless. The goal is to take just a few minutes out of the week to evaluate whether you may be experiencing higher-than-usual levels of anxiety or depression. You can do this by taking a quick quiz for signs of depression or asking yourself whether these signs and symptoms of anxiety describe you.
These brief, weekly check-ins can be a helpful tool for gauging mental and emotional wellbeing and flagging potential distress signals. That said, never rely on a self-assessment to diagnose yourself. If you become aware that the signs and symptoms you are experiencing could indicate an underlying mental health condition that requires treatment, consult a mental health professional immediately or call FHE Health. One of our counselors would be glad to assist you.
F. – Following a Routine
With our normal days upended and so many of us living and working from home 24/7, it’s easy to lose a sense of time and structure in the day. When “going to work” means clearing breakfast off the kitchen table in order to set up a laptop, work-life balance is that much harder to achieve— yet even more essential to mental health.
Establishing a daily routine can help immensely here. Consider starting the day by jotting down a list of the day’s goals and structuring your day around these goals, being sure to also take time for breaks. (By the way, if you’re enjoying free time, that’s great! If, though, you’re someone who is prone to being self-critical about not having achieved enough in the day, a list of goals can instill that sense of accomplishment that’s good for self-esteem and mental health.)
Following a routine also entails going to bed and getting up around the same time daily, and three meals a day at roughly the same times as well. Our bodies and brains do better on a reliable schedule.
E. – Emotionally Connected
The mental health effects of isolation can be drastic for anyone, but for people in recovery and others who depend on support groups to stay healthy and sober, the sudden disappearance of these connections can be dangerous to mental health. While a change, phone-in or virtual support groups are an excellent alternative to in-person meetings and much better than nothing! The same is true for teletherapy. Or, you might try phoning a friend, starting a group chat, or even playing an online game with them to stay in touch.
Remember that if you are having trouble regulating your recovery or mental health needs right now, you are not alone and have nothing to feel ashamed about. These are very difficult times for so many Americans, and feelings of anxiety and depression can often be normal reactions to the stress, loss, and uncertainty that describe this period in the life of our nation. That said, you don’t have to live with these symptoms when they are destroying your quality of life. Our facility is open and committed to providing mental health and substance abuse treatment, with the recognition that our services are more needed now than ever. If you need any assistance, please contact us immediately.
