"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

    Small Businesses

    COVID-19 FAQ

    • During these uncertain times, many have questions. FAQ

    Unemployment

    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

    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

    Family Resources

    Relaxation & Coping Resources

     

    Art Therapy

    For Mental Health Clinicians

    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

    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