Community Support & Self Care

During this time, it is important to maintain your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Here are some resources to help you and your family get through this pandemic.

Community Help - Resource to connect with community health and wellness programs in Massachusetts. Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, transportation, and more.

Be Kind To Your Mind - Tips to cope with stress during COVID-19. (CDC PSA, 2020)

• PAUSE. Breathe. Notice how you feel
• TAKE BREAKS from COVID-19 content
• MAKE TIME to sleep and exercise
• REACH OUT and stay connected
• SEEK HELP if overwhelmed or unsafe

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Wellness Tips and Resources during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be causing you or your loved ones to feel stress, anxiety, or other strong emotions. Such feelings are understandable and affect many individuals and families. The Department of Public Health continues to offer critical resources to help you and your family during this challenging time. 

What Can I Do Every Day to Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety?

The following wellness tips are advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Connect with friends and family
• Tell them how you are feeling. Practice physical distancing while staying social virtually!
• Get moving
• Take walks, work out at home, and stretch. Try something new!
• Eat healthy
• Get plenty of fruits and vegetables (frozen options are great!) and watch your portion sizes. Avoid drugs and alcohol.
• Plan time for enjoyable activities
• Get creative! Avoid consuming too much media coverage, including social media.

Keep in mind that most people do not get severely ill or die from COVID-19. While it helps to be prepared, and it's important to do what you can to lower your risk and help slow the spread of the virus, try not to panic.

• Stress Reduction Video from one of Heywood Healthcare's LICSW Amy Moran
• Managing Addiction Recovery During COVID19, by Heywood and GAAMHA staff

Crisis Prevention Institute Resources

• De-escalation tips in light of the COVID 19 Crisis
• Managing Your Own Anger - A Guide for Parents
• The Power of Listening - A Guide for Parents
• CPI’s Top 10 De-Escalation Tips

Physical Health

• Off Your Rockers 1
• Off Your Rockers 2
• Off Your Rockers 3
• Off Your Rockers 4
• Off Your Rockers 5
• Peloton App (Currently a 30-day free trial)

Youth Resources

• Children and Emergencies-CDC
• How to Talk to Children about the Coronavirus- Harvard Medical School
• What to say to Kids to Help them Feel Calm When the World Feels Fragile- Hey Sigmund

Illustration made by McLean Hospital

 For additional information, please visit www.mass.gov/COVID19 or call 2-1-1.