Mental Health: Resources

Our panelists from the COVID Questions: Mental Health virtual forum recommended some resources to help people with mental well-being during the pandemic. Here are some of them:

Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook: Published by The Wellness Society, this step-by-step guide is designed to help you reduce anxiety and be more resilient through the pandemic.

COVID Marginal Gains Booklet: A downloadable resource to help people deal with anxiety, isolation and loneliness, working from home, managing remote teams, parenting in lockdown and more. Published by The Career Psychologist.

The RAIN Method: Recognize, allow, investigate, nurture — RAIN is an easy-to-remember acronym for practicing mindfulness and compassion in any circumstances, but can be especially helpful now.

Pandemic shaming: Is it helping us keep our distance? A thoughtful article from The Guardian about people shaming others for their improper pandemic practices.

Find a therapist: Enter your ZIP code to find a detailed listing of therapists who practice near you.

How to ask someone if they are okay

Less direct approach:

  • “Have you been unhappy lately?
     Have you been very unhappy lately?
     Have you been so very unhappy lately that you’ve been
     thinking about ending your life?”
  • “Do you ever wish you could go to sleep and never wake
      up?”

Direct approach

  • “You know, when people are as upset as you seem to be,
      they sometimes wish they were dead.  I’m wondering if
      you’re feeling that way, too?”
  • “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

How NOT to ask the suicide question

  • “You’re not thinking of killing yourself, are you?”
  • “You wouldn’t do anything stupid would you?”
  • “Suicide is a dumb idea.  Surely you’re not thinking about suicide?”

What to do if they’re not okay

  • Listen, Listen, Listen!
  • Withhold judgment
  • Offer hope
  • Work together to figure out a plan for help


Getting help

Get connected with a mental health professional

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741741

Get additional supports involved: Friends, family, clergy, therapist, doctor etc.