Mental Health and Coping with COVID-19
COVID-19 Resources
Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:
- 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
- Worsening of mental health conditions
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
West Virginia Hotline
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has launched an informational hotline to address public and medical provider questions and concerns regarding COVID-19. The toll-free hotline – 1-800-887-4304 – is available 24/7 to provide accurate information about COVID-19, the risk to the public, and the state’s response.
Mental Health Support
Please visit WVU Medicine Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry for information on services. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 855-WVU-CARE (855-988-2273).
Need Help? Know Someone Who Does?
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:
- Dial or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org
- Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
For more information or to schedule an appointment call 855-WVU-CARE (855-988-2273).
Take care of yourself and your community
Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress.
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body.
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
For Parents
The experts at WVU Medicine Children’s have put together several downloadable resources and videos that cover wide range of child-related questions and concerns that parents, guardians, and caregivers may have during this this difficult time. New resources are updated regularly on this page. Click here for more information.
Additional Resources
- To help ensure the continued health and safety of our community, we have put together a series of educational videos featuring WVU Medicine experts covering a wide range of COVID-19-related topics View full video library here.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has published a COVID resource guide which can be found here.
- Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-NAMI Or in a crisis, text “NAMI” to 741741
- Visit Mental Health America for a list of Resources here.
- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224)
Finding Wellness: In this stressful time of the COVID-19 pandemic, are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating right and managing stress? In this WVU Medicine Health Report, Gwen Emery, MD, discusses how to find and maintain wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Family Life and routines have changed greatly with the Stay at Home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
WVU Medicine Child and Adolescent therapist Emily Finomore shares some tips to help families cope with changes resulting from COVID-19. Learn more here.