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To provide support in the response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Below are a number of links and resources:
If you are a patient or family member or friend in need of immediate assistance:
- Disaster Distress Helpline
Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 800-273-8255 or Chat with Lifeline - Crisis Textline
Text TALK to 741741
Jump to the following sections:
[Resources for Psychiatrists] [CDC Information] [COVID-19 & Mental Health] [New Telehealth Rules] [Webinars] [APA’s Practice Management Hotline] [Resources for Families] [Resources for Health Care and Community Leaders]
Resources for Psychiatrists
With COVID-19 evolving rapidly across the world, APA’s Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disasters and the APA’s Council on International Psychiatry compiled the following list of resources for psychiatrists. The resources cover not only the physical impact of the coronavirus, but on its potential mental health and psychosocial issues and responses. The resources also include a section on telepsychiatry, to prepare for the possibility of isolation and/or quarantine.
DEA Buprenorphine Guidance
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued guidance to DEA-registered physicians providing new flexibility for physicians managing patients with opioid use disorder. The new guidance permits physicians and other health professionals with a waiver allowing them to prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder to issue these prescriptions to new and existing patients based on an evaluation via telephone. The new policy is effective from March 31 for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.
This guidance removes a considerable barrier for many patients during the national emergency and, importantly, allows them to stay at home. The full guidance is available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/dea-samhsa-buprenorphine-telemedicine.pdf. 4/1/2020
APA’s Practice Management HelpLine
If you are an APA member, APA’s Practice Management HelpLine is ready to assist you with your practice management needs. Help is available on how to manage the day-to-day operations of your practice in the midst of this pandemic, including telehealth, coding, documentation, reimbursement, contracting with managed care companies, Medicare, Medicaid, and more.
CDC Information
What you need to know
COVID-19 & Mental Health
- Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (APA)
- Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, CSTS)
- Helping Patients Manage the Psychological Effects of Quarantine and Isolation (CSTS)
- How Healthcare Personnel Can Take Care of Themselves (CSTS)
- Supporting the Mental Health of Patients During COVID-19: A Guide for Healthcare Personnel (CSTS)
- Supporting Patients During Quarantine or Confinement (CSTS)
- Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 (JAMA Insights: Clinical Update, March 11, 2020)
- Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA)
Rules regarding the practice of telepsychiatry have changed quickly. CMS released guidance on March 17, 2020, that now allows patients to be seen via live videoconferencing in their homes, without having to travel to a qualifying “originating site” for Medicare telehealth encounters, regardless of geographic location.
To learn more about whether telepsychiatry may be a helpful option for your practice, and to access APA’s collection of resources on telepsychiatry, use the links below:
- APA Information on New Telehealth Rules (New guidance from CMS, updated 3/17/20)
- APA Telepsychiatry Toolkit
- Best Practices in Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health Guide (APA and American Telemedicine Association)
Resources for Families
- Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (APA)
- Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health and Well-being (APA Foundation’s Center for Workplace Mental Health, CWMH)
- Taking Care of Family Well-Being (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, NCTSN)
- Supporting Homebound Children During COVID-19 (CSTS)
- Supporting Your Family During Quarantine or Isolation: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation during an Infectious Disease Outbreak (SAMHSA)
- Be Aware of Scams
Consumers and healthcare facilities have been targeted by scammers pretending to be representatives of CDC or WHO and asking for personal information, donations, etc.
Resources for Health Care and Community Leaders
- Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (APA)
- Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health and Well-being (APA Foundation’s Center for Workplace Mental Health, CWMH)
- Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak (National Center for PTSD)
- How Public Health Leaders Can Support Communities Dealing with Quarantine (CSTS)
- Health Risk and Crisis Communication to Enhance Community Wellness (CSTS)
- Addressing Stigma Associated with COVID-19 (World Health Organization)