I'm worried about my or my loved one's mental health

COVID-19 is having an effect on our community’s mental well-being. With physical distancing, job, housing, and food insecurity, illness, and losses in our community, it is common to have feelings of anxiety and depression. Support and self-care are essential during this time. Please take time to care for your own mental wellness so that you can better care for your family and keep your immune system strong.

Since we are required to remain in our homes at this time, we’ve shared some resources below to help you take your mental wellness into your own hands through technology. From apps on your phone to a phone call to local agencies, please access care as needed during this difficult time.

How to recognize symptoms of mental distress

  • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
  • Changes in sleep or eating patterns
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Worsening of chronic health problems
  • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Find more info from the CDC here.

Local Behavioral Health Resources

  • Call 2-1-1  a free and confidential phone line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in over 200 languages. Answered by trained Information and Referral Specialists prepared to assess the caller’s need, determine their options, make referrals, support and advocate for the caller as necessary. You can also text your zip code to 898211 to get help finding services in San Joaquin county.
  • Stockton Unified is proud to offer a new Student Support Services Helpline for families and students during the COVID-19 school closure. The helpline will be available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. If you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 9-1-1. Stakeholders who contact the helpline at 209-933-7111 will have access to speak directly to or leave a message for District Nurses, Elementary and High School Counselors, Mental Health Clinicians, and Child Welfare and Attendance staff. Any messages left will be returned as soon as possible.
    More information at SUSD’s Coronavirus response page.
  • Stockton Trauma Recovery Center: Fathers and Families of San Joaquin is continuing to operate and provide services during this time. You can reach them at (209) 941-0701. More info on their website.
  • San Joaquin County Mental Health Crisis Line: (209) 468-8686. The Crisis Intervention Line is staffed by psychiatric technicians and mental health physicians. 24/7 response. 
  • Hospice of San Joaquin: Call (209) 957-3888 for grief support telehealth services or go to their site. 
  • Beacon Health Strategies is a behavioral health benefit for those with Health Plan of San Joaquin. Call to set up services.
  • St. Joseph’s Behavioral Health provides behavioral health services for those with Medicare or commercial insurance. Please call for eligibility. 
  • Community Medical Centers is available to provide behavioral health and recovery services for those in need. Please call 209-940-5662 to speak to a representative, Monday-Saturday, 7:30am-7:00pm. More info here.
  • Family Resource and Referral Center of San Joaquin has a list of videos and resource hotlines for mental health, information here.
  • This California Surgeon General’s guide has mental and physical health tips to help you manage your stress during this time. 

National Behavioral Health Resources

  • NAMI’s COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide provides helpful advice and a number of resources to support you and your family members. The guide also answers frequently asked questions about how and when to seek help. 
  • The Mental Health First Aid program (MHFA), created by the National Council for Behavioral Health, offers guidance on how to care for yourself while practicing physical distancing. MHFA is an international program addressing mental health and reducing stigma around getting mental health services. 
  • Talkspace created a Coronavirus Resource Hub, which addresses COVID-19 concerns from a mental health perspective.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
  • NAMI(National Alliance on Mental Health) Helpline: (800) 950-6264
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. 
  • Veterans Suicide Prevention Line: (800) 273-8255 or send a text message to 838255 to talk to a VA responder.

Mental Health Resources for Children, Young Adults, and Childcare Providers

  • CDC resource for to talking to children about COVID-19: As COVID-19 continues to impact their families and loved ones, children may be confused or concerned by what they are hearing and seeing. For general tips on how to talk to your children, please visit this CDC page. 
  • San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services Warm Line: This is a non-emergency resource for any youth seeking emotional support. A clinician will staff this newly established warm line 7 days a week from 11:30 to 8:00 (holidays excluded). Call 209-468-3685 for support.
  • The Child Abuse Prevention Council is providing free connections to community resources, parent coaching, and support on how to build a supportive home. Call (209) 644-5371 for more information. 

Apps for Mental Wellness and Online Therapy (Free and Membership/Fee-Based)

  • FREE – Smiling Mind is a not-for-profit app that provides mindfulness and meditation for adults and children.
  • FREE – The Mindfulness App aims to provide meditation for everyone.
  • FREE – Liberate Meditation offers meditation services geared towards people of color. 
  • FREE – Be Okay provides panic and anxiety relief.
  • FREE – Headspace created a free collection called Weathering the Storm for its app users. It’s a collection of sleep and movement exercises.
  • FREE: Ten Percent Happier has a free collection of guided meditations and resources. Also, healthcare workers get free access to their app at this time. 

Online Workouts to Help Your Mental and Physical Health

  • Planet Fitness is live-streaming free at-home workout classes at 4pm PT daily on their Facebook page.
  • Barry’s Bootcamp is offering free, daily strength training workouts live at 9am PT and 12pm ET. If you miss it at the schedule time, you can still watch it for 24 hours after. 
  • Corepower Yoga is offering an online collection of free yoga classes each week on their website. 

If you need support from a healthcare professional but don’t have regular health insurance or a regular doctor:

  • Enroll in health insurance 
    • All health care plans offered through healthcare.gov must cover mental health and substance use services. 
  • Go to the emergency department if you need help immediately
    • In an emergency, all health departments that participate in Medicare (which is most US hospitals) must see you, regardless of your ability to pay. 
  • Federally funded health centers provide care regardless of insurance coverage or income. Many of these centers include mental health services. Find a federally funded health center near you at https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/.