
"Our trauma—our existence—is criminalized. Because there is no true mental health care system, police and prisons are tasked with handling this crisis."
Kendrick Sampson, Actor & Activist
COVID-19
EMERGENCY/CRISIS HOTLINES
THERAPY & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
FAMILY
RELAXATION & COPING
ART THERAPY
FOR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS
APPS & TOOLS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
COVID-19 Mental Health Resources
- NAMI online support groups and hotline for people with mental illness and for caregivers and friends of people with mental illness NAMI COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
- Eventbrite can be searched for online COVID-19 support groups, like https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-covid-19-support-group-tickets-100052716368
- Coronavirus Anxiety Toolkit https://www.virusanxiety.com/
- CDC Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- CDC Pandemic Preparedness Resources
- NASP Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 multilingual resources available
- NCTSN Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- SAMSHA Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health – Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak | Publications and Digital Products
Small Businesses
- Small business loans GET INFO
COVID-19 FAQ
- During these uncertain times, many have questions. FAQ
Unemployment
- Economic impact payments GET INFO
Emergency/Crisis Hotlines
If you’re having suicidal ideations, we recommend contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 800-273-8255. Additional crisis and suicide hotlines are available in the category below, Crises and Suicide.
Domestic violence toll-free call: 800-799-7233 (SAFE). Co-quarantined with an abuser? contact @ndvh | National Domestic Violence Hotline: CALL 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 or CHAT at http://thehotline.org
Gender-Based Violence/Domestic Violence coping and support https://www.safehorizon.org/emergency/
NYC Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-621-4673 (HOPE), TTY: 866-604-5350 (if you are hearing impaired), or call 311 and ask for the hotline
Finding A Therapist
Teletherapy – Teletherapy is remote mental health counseling online or over the phone.
* Filter by therapists who offer teletherapy
- Find a Therapist, Psychologist, Counselor (PsychologyToday.com*)
- The Shrink Space*
- headway.co: All Headway therapists accept insurance for teletherapy sessions, and Headway automatically calculates copays & deductibles for patients with their insurance member ID
- https://www.covidcalm.org/ – FREE to all healthcare workers, one-click to Zoom, no booking needed. — If prompted use the password CovidCalm
- 7 Cups: Online Therapy & Free Counseling, Someone To Talk To peer counseling trained in active listening
- Elder Care teletherapy through WellQor Teletherapy Services Now Available or (646) 687-4646
Emotional Support
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective – A collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists, and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.
Support Groups
- Coronavirus Anxiety Toolkit
- NAMI online support groups and hotline for people with mental illness and for caregivers and friends of people with mental illness NAMI COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
- Virtual Support Groups at Mountainside.com: for people in addiction recovery, groups for loved ones of people in recovery and a group for first responders + healthcare workers
- Turn2Me online support groups
- +sg support groups
- Eventbrite can be searched for online COVID-19 support groups,
- Daily Strength: An active online support group for anxiety
- The Tribe: online anxiety peer-to-peer support group
- Intercultural Psychology: Online support group for women from immigrant backgrounds
- Out in Tech: LGBTQ community support on Slack and virtual hangouts by
Family Resources
- Child Mind: telehealth and mental health resources for children and adolescents: 212-308-3118
- How to set healthy boundaries (tips and worksheets) from Positive Psychology and Healthline
- Dealing with toxic family members
- How to talk to family and friends about your mental health needs
- How to get alone time when at home with family from Her View from Home and Pure Wow
- Resources for parents on how to provide support for their children from Child Trends and NASP
Relaxation & Coping Resources
- Coping with social isolation: Here and here
- Free CBT Life Skills & Stress Coping Course Living Life to the Full Series
- NYT The Calm Place
- Zoom/live video meditation and yoga classes
- Ashtanga Yoga NY classes on Zoom and Instagram (free/donation)
- Mental health podcasts by women of color
- Coping skills worksheets and toolkit
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) videos (for anxiety, depression, OCD, low self-worth, etc.)
- ACT book chapters and worksheets
Art Therapy
- If You Were Here Now
- Gibney dance and exercise classes, support for professional artists
- StayAtHome Festival
- Virtual mini-Indian classical arts camp
- Dancing Alone Together: Online streamed dance classes & dance community
Mental Health Apps/Tools
- Breathe2Relax
Breathe2Relax is an app for all mobile devices that teaches breathing exercises to help decrease stress response, and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management. Breathe2Relax can be used as a stand-alone stress reduction tool, or can be used alongside clinical care directed by a healthcare worker.
CBT iCoach (insomnia)
CBT-i Coach is for people who are engaged in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with a health provider, or who have experienced symptoms of insomnia and would like to improve their sleep habits. The app will guide you through the process of learning about sleep, developing positive sleep routines, and improving your sleep environment. It provides a structured program that teaches strategies proven to improve sleep and help alleviate symptoms of insomnia.
Take A Break
Take a Break is a guided meditation app creating a calm and meditative space to enjoy deep relaxation and stress relief. This app is available for all mobile devices.
Mindfulness
The Mindfulness App offers an extensive number of meditations with world-renowned teachers, the app also includes a reminder function which can be activated on specific times and places.
Mood Tools
With the Mind Tools app, you’ll gain access to a wide range of skill-building resources focused on management, leadership and personal excellence. Their stress management techniques teach you how to manage yourself effectively to keep yourself healthy and productive. With each module based on the situation and your personal preference, you can find vital resources on sleep, relaxation, managing performance anxiety, boosting self-confidence, managing anger, and preventing and dealing with burnout.
Breathe
You can use the Breathe app to help you relax and focus on your breathing. The Breathe app guides you through a series of deep breaths, and it reminds you to take time to breathe every day. Choose how long you want to breathe, then let the animation and gentle taps help you focus.
Calm
Calm is an app designed to help users with sleep, relaxation, and reduce stress and anxiety, all with the help of guided meditations, soothing music, and bedtime stories.
Headspace
Headspace is a guided meditation app designed to teach you the life-changing skills of meditation and mindfulness in just a few minutes a day. Browse the Headspace Library and pick from courses and single meditation sessions to suit your mood and lifestyle. Choose your session length, replay your favourites and learn how to apply mindfulness to your everyday activities.
Virtual Hope Box
The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) is an app designed for use by patients and their behavioral health providers as an accessory to treatment. The VHB contains simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. Patients and providers can work together to personalize the VHB content on the patient’s own smartphone according to the patient’s specific needs. The patient can then use the VHB away from the clinic, continuing to add or change content as needed.
National Organizations
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is the nation’s leading organization bringing together people across communities and backgrounds to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes. Individuals, families, and communities who have been personally touched by suicide are the moving force behind everything we do. Learn more at: www.afsp.org.
AMERICAN HOLISTIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION
American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) is a free, impartial clearinghouse connecting you to self-help wellness resources. Learn more at: www.ahha.org.
ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGISTS
The Association of Black Psychologists sees its mission and destiny as the liberation of the African Mind, empowerment of the African Character, and enlivenment and illumination of the African Spirit. Lean more at: www.abpsi.org.
BORIS LAWRENCE HENSON FOUNDATION
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation’s vision is to eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community. They partner with other nonprofit organizations who offer programs that educate, celebrate, and make visible the positive impact of mental health wellness. Learn more at: www.borislhensonfoundation.org.
THE BALANCED MIND FOUNDATION
The Balanced Mind Foundation (formerly the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation) provides resources for parents raising a child, teen or young adult with, or at risk for, a mood disorder. Learn more at www.thebalancedmind.org.
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC FOUNDATION
The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the world’s largest psychiatric organization. It is a medical specialty society representing a growing membership of more than 36,000 psychiatrists. Learn more at www.psychiatry.org.
BRING CHANGE 2 MIND
Bring Change 2 Mind is a national anti-stigma campaign founded by Glenn Close, The Balanced Mind Foundation, Fountain House, and Garen & Shari Staglin of the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO), aimed at removing misconceptions about mental illness. Learn more at: bringchange2mind.org.
COLLEGE GUIDE FOR STUDENTS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES
College students with psychiatric disabilities face unique educational challenges. Dedicated mental health counselors and disability coordinators are available on most campuses, and students can typically seek medical attention. Many students, however, do not know how to get help for their problems. To help students get the assistance they need, BestColleges.com has examined instructional strategies, course accommodations, and other campus services designed to serve this population. Learn more.
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA
Mental Health America is dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental and substance use conditions and achieving victory over mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education, research and service. Learn more at: www.mentalhealthamerica.net.
NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
National Mental Health Association (NMHA) NMHA is an advocacy, education, and support organization working to address the needs of people with mental health-related needs and mental illnesses. Learn more at www.nmha.org.
START YOUR RECOVERY
StartYourRecovery.org provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges faced by those who misuse alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, or other substances, and SYR aims to break through the clutter to help people at any stage of recovery. Learn more.
THE STEVE FUND
The Steve Fund is the nation’s only organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. The Steve Fund works with colleges and universities, non-profits, researchers, mental health experts, families, and young people to promote programs and strategies that build understanding and assistance for the mental and emotional health of the nation’s young people of color. Learn more at www.stevefund.org.
THERAVIVE
Theravive is a network of licensed therapists and psychologists committed to helping people receive the best mental health care available. Through building bridges with others, we continually strive to lower mental health stigma. Learn more.
Additional Resources
START YOUR RECOVERY
Inclusive Therapists: Virtual directory of culturally competent and social justice-oriented therapists; includes list of therapists currently offering reduced-fee teletherapy
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Therapist Directory: Virtual directory of APIDA mental health providers
Latinx Therapy: Virtual directory of mental health providers for Latinx community
QTPoC Mental Health Practitioner Directory: Virtual directory of mental health practitioners across the country for queer and trans people of color, provided by the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Association of Black Psychologists Therapist Directory: Virtual directory of psychologists who are members of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPSI) and operate a private practice or are employed as therapists.
Black Emotional And Mental Health (BEAM) Virtual Therapist Network: Virtual directory of Black mental health clinicians who provide virtual (i.e. telemedicine) services
Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation Resource Directory: Virtual directory of mental health providers, programs and resource materials for the African-American community
Black Mental Health Alliance: Virtual directory of culturally-competent and patient-centered licensed mental health professionals
Melanin & Mental Health Directory: Virtual directory of culturally competent mental health clinicians for Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities
Therapy for Black Girls Directory: Virtual directory of culturally competent therapy providers for Black women and girls, searchable by location. Fellowships and financial assistance are available through the Loveland Foundation
Therapy for Black Men Directory: Virtual directory of clinicians providing therapy for Black men
ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS
Therapy for Black Girls: Online space founded by Dr. Joy Bradford dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls, including a free podcast aimed at making mental health topics accessible
Talkspace Support Group: Free therapist-led support group for coping with racial trauma
Sister Afya Online Sister Support Group: Support group for learning from other women and learning life skills to improve mental well-being ($10/session fee but can contact booking@sistaafya.com if fee is prohibitive)
Ethel’s Club: Paid membership-based virtual community with classes, live events and wellness resources for promoting wellbeing in people of color
SELF GUIDED VIRTUAL RESOURCES
Apps and Materials
The Safe Place: Free smartphone app focused on psychoeducation and self-care for minority mental health, geared towards the Black community
Liberate: Free meditation app designed specifically for the BIPOC community and led by BIPOC teachers
Racial Trauma Guide: Virtual guide on coping with racial stressors and being an ally, developed by the EMPOWER (Engaging Minorities in Prevention Outreach Wellness Education & Research) Lab
Black Emotional and Mental Health (BEAM) Toolkit & Resources