Mental Health Resources Available to Help Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic
With the current COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to provide the NAMI Dane County community with a list of mental health resources that are currently available:
National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse
A nationwide directory to locate local consumer-driven mental health services, including resources such as Clubhouses, crisis prevention/respite services, drop-in Centers, employment resources, housing, peer case management and support. The website maintains a search function for directory of local CDS (consumer driven services).
NAMI Resource Library
Provides an extensive list of in-person and online support groups, and other mental health resources.
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: (800) 985- 5990
Provides 24/7, 365-day-a- year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disaster
CDC’s page on Stigma and Resilience
Discusses COVID-19’s impact on mental health, and how we can reject stigma and build resilience during this time.
Phone Support
Emotional Support Warmlines
A warmline is a confidential, non-crisis emotional support telephone hotline staffed by peer volunteers who are in recovery.
NAMI Dane County Support Line
NAMI Dane County will be checking voicemails and responding to calls at our support line: 608-249-7188.
NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Available Monday through Friday, between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm EST for mental health resources.
General Financial Assistance
Need Help Paying Bills
Provides information on assistance programs, charity organizations, and resources that provide help paying bills, mortgage and debt relief (financial, rent and government assistance).
Aunt Bertha
An online resource that connects users to free and reduced cost local resources such as medical care, food, housing, transportation and much more. Website also offered in Spanish
HelpWhenYouNeedIt
An online service that connects users to over 350,000 listings nationwide of private and public resources for food pantries, stores that accept food stamps, assisted living facilities, domestic violence and homeless shelters, mental health & substance use treatment, free clinics, legal and financial assistance.
Help with Bills
Provides information about government programs that help with bill payment, temporary assistance, jobs/unemployment, credit, etc. Website and Helpline also offered in Spanish.
Medical Care / Hospital Bills
The Assistance Fund
For those who qualify for financial support, service provides patient advocates to assist in securing financial assistance for co-payments, prescriptions, deductibles, premiums and medical expenses. Spanish-language translation service also available
Rise Above the Disorder
Connects users with resources for finding a therapist, answering mental health questions and applying for grants to cover the cost of therapy.
Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN)
Provides underinsured patients with financial assistance through disease-specific funds that provide access to progressive therapies. Spanish-language calls accepted.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Helps federally and commercially insured people living with life threatening, chronic, and rare diseases. Offers co-pay relief program to provide direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet certain qualifications to help them pay for needed prescriptions and/or treatment. Their website also has many other resources and services. Website also offered in Spanish.
HealthWell Foundation
Provides financial assistance for the underinsured to afford critical medical treatments through “Disease Funds” (note, typically for chronic physical diseases - not mental health conditions). Website also offered in Spanish.
Online Support
American Psychological Association
Offers an excellent online resource called the “Road to Resilience,” a step-by-step guide that helps individuals develop a personal strategy for enhancing resilience.
NAMI Online Discussion Groups
People exchange support and encouragement in discussion groups.
7 Cups
Free online text chat with a trained listener for emotional support and counseling. Also offers fee- for-service online therapy with a licensed mental health professional. Service/website also offered in Spanish
Emotions Anonymous
An international fellowship of people who desire to have a better sense of emotional well-being. EA members have in person and online weekly meetings available in more than 30 countries with 600 active groups worldwide. The EA is nonprofessional and can be a complement to therapy
Support Group Central
Offers virtual support groups on numerous mental health conditions - free or low-cost. Website also offered in Spanish.
TheTribe Wellness Community
Free, online peer support groups offering members facing mental health challenges and/or difficult family dynamics a safe place to connect. Support groups include Addiction, Anxiety, Depression, HIV/AIDS, LGBT, Marriage/Family, OCD and Teens.
SupportGroups.com
Website featuring 200+ online support groups.
For Like Minds
Online mental health support network that allows for individuals to connect with others who are living with or supporting someone with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and stressful life events.
18percent
Offers a free, peer-to-peer online support community for those struggling with a wide range of mental health issues.
Psych Central
Offers online mental health resources, quizzes, news, an “Ask the Therapist” function, and online support communities.
Prescription Medication
NAMI - Getting Help Paying for Medications
PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool
A search engine for many of the patient assistance resources that the pharmaceutical industry offers.
Needy Meds: (800) 503-6897
Offers a HelpLine and website information on financial assistance programs to help defray cost of medication. Website also offered in Spanish.
RX Assist
Provides up-to-date directory of free and low-cost medicine programs and other ways to manage medication costs.
RX Hope
A free patient assistance program to assist people in need obtain critical medications