Coping in Times of Uncertainty: COVID-19 Resources
The Department of Health Social Work is committed to supporting people affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and the response to it. Here, the department has organized a resource toolkit, which we hope you find helpful.
General Tips
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the landscape of our entire world. Things are rapidly shifting, and there is a lot of uncertainty around what the future holds for our health, our communities and many other aspects of daily life.
Feelings such as fear, stress, sadness or anxiety are all normal. This UT Health Austin blog post covers a few ways you can care for yourself.
Additional Resources
- Action for Happiness: Coping Calendar
- American Psychological Association: Speaking of Psychology: Coronavirus Anxiety
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America: Coronavirus Anxiety — Helpful Expert Tips & Resources
- The Austin Center for Grief & Loss: Sliding scale/low-cost therapy and support groups for COVID-19
- CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 — Manage Anxiety & Stress
- Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness: How to Stay Connected While Intentionally Isolated
- Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance: Resources
- Dorlee Michaeli: COVID-19 Anxiety & Stress: 30 Free Self-Care Tools
- Forbes: The Psychology of Uncertainty: How To Cope With COVID-19 Anxiety
- Harvard Business Review: That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
- In the Rooms: COVID-19 Online Recovery Resources
- National Alliance on Mental Health: COVID-19 Information & Resources
- Shine: Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety — A Toolki
- Texas Health & Human Services: 24/7 COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
- Call 1-833-986-1919
- Therapy Austin: Low-Cost Online Weekly Support Group: Coping With the COVID-19 Crisis (for Texas residents)
- Action for Healthy Kids: Resources for Schools & Families During COVID-19/Coronavirus
- Alo Yoga: Mindfulness videos for kids
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America: How to Talk to Your Anxious Child or Teen About Coronavirus
- Austin ISD: Mindfulness YouTube channel
- CDC: Talking With Children About Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Taking Care of Your Family During Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Child Mind Institute: Supporting Families During COVID-19
- Children’s Hospital Colorado: Answering Kids’ Questions About the Coronavirus
- Colorín Colorado: Coronavirus: ELL & Multilingual Resources for Schools
- Cosmic Kids Yoga: YouTube channel
- National Association of School Psychologists: Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Ninja Focus App
- Parenting for Lifelong Health: COVID-19 24/7 Parenting
- PBS Kids: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
- Podcasts: Be Calm on Ahway Island & The Calm Kids
- Susan Kaiser Greenland: Coronavirus Resources for Families & Schools: Things We Think You’d Like to Know
- Vida Clinic: Teletherapy/mental health resources for AISD students
- Call 512-518-2209
- Visit the website
- Wonders & Worries: Free support for children and teens through a parent’s serious illness
- Aunt Bertha: Find free or reduced-cost services
- Austin Council of PTAs: COVID-19 Austin Information & Resources
- Austin Creative Alliance: Financial assistance for local artists
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas: Child care for essential workers
- Central Texas Food Bank: Find Food Now
- City of Austin: COVID-19: Community Resources
- City of Austin: Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
- Hope Food Pantry Austin: Stay Home, Stay Healthy (delivery program for older adults and people who are immunocompromised)
- Call 737-228-3558
- Visit the website
- Meals on Wheels of Central Texas: Meal delivery services
- NAMI: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information & Resources
- Patient Advocate Foundation: National Financial Resource Directory
- Texas 2-1-1:
- Call 2-1-1
- Visit the website
- Texas Education Agency: Find free school meals
- Texas Workforce Commission: Applying for unemployment benefits
- YMCA of Austin: YMCA Offering Childcare for Essential Workers
- Austin SAFE Alliance:
- Call 512-267-SAFE
- Text 737-888-7233
- Visit the website to chat online
- Futures Without Violence: Information on COVID-19 for Survivors, Communities & DV/SA Programs
- Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center:
- Call 512-396-4357
- Visit the website
- National Domestic Violence Hotline:
- Call 800-799-7233
- Staying Safe During COVID-19
- Visit the website to chat online
- Texas Advocacy Project: Legal services
- Texas Department of Family & Protective Services: Report Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
- Travis County: Obtaining a protective order
- Travis County: Victim Services
- Williamson County HOPE Alliance:
- Call 1-800-460-7233
- Visit the website
- American Gateways: Legal services for immigrants
- TexasLawHelp.org: Legal information and resources
- Texas Legal Services Center: Legal services
- Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid: Legal services
- American Psychiatric Association: COVID-19 Mental Health Impacts: Resources for Psychiatrists
- CDC: Emergency Responders: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
- Center to Advance Palliative Care: Responding to Hard Questions and Emotional Distress About COVID-19 From Dialysis Patients or Their Families
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress:
- Caring for Patients’ Mental Well-Being During Coronavirus & Other Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Guide for Clinicians
- Mental Health & Behavioral Guidelines for Preparedness & Response to Coronavirus & Other Emerging Infectious Outbreaks
- Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Health Care Providers Need to Know
- Sustaining the Well-Being of Health Care Personnel During Coronavirus & Other Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists
- The Hastings Center: Ethics Resources on the Coronavirus
- Ink Vessel: Palliative Care in the Time of COVID: A Graphic
- International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies: Remote Psychological First Aid During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- NASW: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
- National Center for PTSD: For Providers & Community Leaders: Helping People Manage Stress Associated With the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
- National Center for PTSD: Managing Health Care Workers’ Stress Associated With the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
- Oregon Health & Science University: Caring for Yourself & Caring for Others During a Disaster/Epidemic
- Oxford Medicine: A Field Manual for Palliative Care in Humanitarian Crisis
- Respecting Choices: COVID-19 Resources
- SAMHSA: Disaster Planning Handbook for Behavioral Health Treatment Programs
- Social Work Career: COVID-19 Resources for Social Workers & Therapists
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work: COVID-19 crisis intervention training
- Therapy Austin: Free Online Weekly Support Group for Texas Health Care Workers
- VitalTalk: COVID-Ready Communication Skills
Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
- Austin/Travis County Crisis Hotline: 512-472-HELP
- Crisis hotline for other Texas counties:
- Call 2-1-1
- Visit the Texas Health & Human Services website
- Disaster Distress Hotline:
- Call 800-985-5990
- Text “TALKWITHUS” to 66746
- National Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741-741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
- Call 800-273-8255
- Visit the website to chat online
- Veterans Crisis Line:
- Call 800-273-8255
- Text 838255
- Visit the website to chat online
Dell Med community members with intranet access can find additional resources on Cerebrum.
- AGE of Central Texas: Activities & Resources for Older Adults & Caregivers to Experience at Home
- Aging Services Council of Central Texas: Support services
- Alzheimer’s Association: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers
- Alzheimer’s Association/AARP: Community Resource Finder
- Family Eldercare: Lifetime Connections Without Walls
- HEB & Favor: Senior Support Line (grocery delivery)
- American Society for Nutrition: Making Health & Nutrition a Priority During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
- DoYogaWithMe: Free online yoga classes
- Mindfulness & Meditation Apps: Calm; Headspace; Stop, Breathe & Think
- Peloton app: Free trial
- Planet Fitness: Free online workouts
- YMCA 360: Free online exercise classes