General Adult Resources

COVID-19 RESOURCE AND INFORMATION GUIDE

COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
The COVID-19 crisis has impacted not only our daily routines and physical health, but it's also increased stress levels and taken a toll on our mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has put together this fact-based resource to help you combat some of these challenges with self-care, stress reduction, tips to manage anxiety, and more.

EFFECTS OF STRESS

Speaking of Psychology: Coronavirus Anxiety
In this episode of the Speaking of Psychology podcast, Carnegie Mellon professor Baruch Fischhoff, Ph.D. explores the reasons why we worry about new risks more than familiar ones. Dr.Fischhoff also addresses the psychological effects of being quarantined and what we can do to manage stress and anxiety. The American Psychological Association produces the podcast series.

Infectious Disease Outbreaks - Coping with Stress
This informative fact sheet, created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), features tips on how to recognize common signs of stress during an infectious disease outbreak and when to get help.

Staying mentally healthy during a pandemic
Social worker Darryl Webster, MSW, offers practical advice on how to maintain a positive attitude and overcome increased stress brought on by the COVID-19 crisis in this piece published by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

How to Stay Sane When the World Seems Crazy
This New York Times piece addresses our natural tendencies to catastrophize, an unhealthy pattern of thinking that assumes the worst-case scenario. If left unchecked, negative thought patterns like catastrophizing could increase your level of stress and anxiety during these challenging times.

Coping with Stress
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a list of resources and guidelines on ways to care for your mental wellbeing while coping with the stress, fear, and anxiety associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COVID-19

Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19
Watching continual updates on COVID-19 may increase fear and anxiety, particularly in young children. In this article, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) shares advice on monitoring your child's media consumption during these uncertain times. Learn how to speak to your children calmly and honestly to dispel rumors and false information that might contribute to stress.

Nurtured by nature
Americans are spending more time on their devices and less time outdoors despite growing scientific evidence of the psychological benefits of being in nature. This article, published by the American Psychological Association, explains how spending less time on our devices and more time in a natural setting can improve our mental health and sharpen our cognition.

SLEEP AND COVID-19

Challenges with Sleep during a Pandemic
Disruption to daily life due to the Covid-19 pandemic may lead to increased difficulties falling asleep and an irregular sleep schedule. Sleep is critical for maintaining good health by strengthening the immune system as well as improving mental well-being. This resource outlines the importance of sleep and offers some practical guidelines for improving sleep amidst the pandemic stressors.

SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND COVID-19

Keeping your distance to stay safe
Health experts are urging us to practice social distancing and isolating to slow the spread of COVID-19, but the lack of social contact can take a toll on one's mental health. In this article, psychologists provide insights on how to get the social support that you need while keeping a safe distance.

COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a comprehensive guide packed with fact-based information and tips for self-care to help you navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Topics include managing anxiety, how to pursue treatment during this time of physical distancing, and where to go for support and resources.

GRIEF

COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
This comprehensive guide provided by The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers fact-based information and tips for self-care to help you and your family get through the coronavirus pandemic. Topics include coping with the loss of a loved one to COVID-19 and where to go for support and resources.

GriefShare
Losing a spouse, family member, or friend during the pandemic can feel more isolating than ever as social distancing protocols and restrictions on gatherings drastically limit the accessibility to rituals and traditions that help us heal. Connecting with others that have also experienced loss in a GriefShare group can help you move through the process of grieving and help to rebuild your life. GriefShare offers meetings online and in-person.

Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
This free download published by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) dives into topics like grief, the grieving process, and what happens when that process is interrupted or traumatic. It also offers tips and resources for coping with grief.

When a Loved One Dies from COVID-19
Losing a loved one to COVID-19 is likely to be more difficult for several reasons: the death is unanticipated and families are separated from their hospitalized loved one due to potential contagion. This Fact Sheet provides helpful information to families (or those caring for them) to help cope with their loss.

COVID-19: Grief and Loss
Information and resources for adults and kids on coping with grief and loss during COVID-19

Coping with Grief During the Pandemic
Tips from experts in complicated grief from Columbia University share tips for healing and recognizing/navigating barriers to the healing process when they naturally arise.

MANAGING CONFLICT IN THE FAMILY

COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Quarantining and stay-at-home orders are causing many Americans to spend more time at home and away from familiar routines. The resulting stress and uncertainly from these mitigation efforts can spark tension and conflict within the family. This guide, created by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offers guidance on how to cope with feeling isolated and how to manage stress and anxiety while quarantined or at home.

Managing Family Conflict While Home
Since the pandemic began, families have been spending more time together, but without healthy communication skills, some families may struggle to address conflict constructively, creating a risk for physical aggression. Here are some strategies that may help families manage conflict during periods of home confinement.

Healthy Connections Knoxville
A strong, lasting bond between partners is linked to physical and emotional health but the pandemic is putting a strain on even the healthiest of relationships. Healthy Connections Knoxville offers assistance and research-based tools to help couples navigate the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis while improving and strengthening the marriage/partnership.

The Knoxville Family Justice Center
With so many people confined to their homes, there are growing concerns about a potential increase in intimate partner violence (IPV). The Knoxville Family Justice Center serves domestic violence and sexual assault victims by offering a safe location to access advocacy & other services necessary to build a future of choice, safety & opportunity.

YWCA's Keys of Hope Women's Program
YWCA's Keys of Hope Women's Program has been a home and safe space for women in need for nearly a century. The program's goal is to provide affordable housing in a safe environment with supportive services that promote self-sufficiency without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

Managing Family Conflict While Home During COVID-19: Intimate Partners
Families are spending more time together at home during the pandemic, but this shift can present challenges for families who may struggle to address conflict constructively. To combat this issue, the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress offers tips and strategies to help families manage conflict during periods.

COVID-19 AND ITS IMPACT ON SUBSTANCE USE

COVID and Its Impact on Substance Use
CDC: Although the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 for people who use drugs or have substance use disorder is not known, people who use drugs may have underlying medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and they may have concerns and questions related to their risk. This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available.

The Tennessee REDLINE
The Tennessee REDLINE is the 24/7/365 resource for substance abuse treatment referrals. Anyone can call or text 800-889-9789 for confidential referrals. The text message capability on the Tennessee REDLINE allows staff to make referrals via text or to follow up phone call referrals with texted information. It also gives people an opportunity to interact and obtain information at their own pace rather than spending a period of time engaged in a call. All conversations and referrals via text message or voice call are completely confidential. The service is provided by the Tennessee Association for Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction Services (TAADAS) though a contract with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS).