COVID-19 Resources

Vaccine Help

ME DHHS/CDC is excited to announce that the Vaccine Consult Line is now up and running!

Starting today you will now be able to direct callers with general vaccination questions to:  866-962-6062.

Our phone line hours are M-F, 8:00 am-5:00 pm.

We are hoping this will continue to reduce the number of vaccination-related questions and comments to your otherwise busy phone lines.

Clinicians on the front Lines

• https://healthmatch.io/blog/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-is-affecting-our-mental-health-too (Posted )
• American College of Surgeons – Assistance and Well-Being of Healthcare Workers
• Annals of Internal Medicine – Supporting Clinicians during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Coronavirus Tech Handbook – Resource for Doctors
• Crowdsourced LIST of Resources About Healthcare Worker Wellbeing During COVID-19
• Helping Patients Concerned about Coronavirus: A Guide for Psychiatrists
• https://thewellnesssociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook.pdf
• Homeless System Response (Added) 11/10/2020
• National Telehealth Resource Center webinar –Telehealth and COVID-19
• PTSD & the Front Line Provider – https://www.psychcongress.com/article/preparing-covid-19-induced-ptsd-among-health-care-providers – Added 5/1/2020
• Spotting Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect During the COVID-19 Emergency – https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/documents/covid-19/Guidance%20Memo%20for%20Educators,%20Health%20Care%20Providers,%20and%20Community%20Members.pdf
• Strategies for Coping with Isolation and Loneliness During the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Sustaining well-being of healthcare personnel
• Mental Health Academy provides the following resources in support of mental health and frontline workers assisting with the global COVID-19 crisis – https://www.mentalhealthacademy.net/crisis-resources – Added 4/27/2020
• NYTimes: Therapists and Patients Find Common Ground: Virus-Fueled Anxiety – https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/03/nyregion/coronavirus-therapy-nyc.html?referringSource=articleShare (Added 5/5/2020)
• Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 (JAMA Insights: Clinical Update, March 11, 2020)
• Helping Patients Manage the Psychological Effects of Quarantine and Isolation (CSTS)
• Supporting Patients During Quarantine or Confinement (CSTS) 
• Supporting the Mental Health of Patients During COVID-19: A Guide for Healthcare Personnel (CSTS)
• Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, CSTS)
• 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts- https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques** Added 4/14/20

Child & Family Resources

• Be Aware of Scams Consumers and healthcare facilities have been targeted by scammers and pretend to be representatives of CDC or WHO and ask for personal information, donations, etc.
• Coping During the Hard Times: Fact Sheets for Parents – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/coping-hard-times-fact-sheet-parents?utm_source=spotlight&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nctsn-spotlight (added 4/24/2020)
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth High School and College Age – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/coping-hard-times-fact-sheet-youth-high-school-and-college-age?utm_source=spotlight&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nctsn-spotlight (Added 4/24/)
• Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (APA)
• Experience with families with dying family members during pandemic: – (Added 4/16) https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2007781?query=RP
• Gear Family Network:  FREE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES! If you are a parent/caregiver in Maine who is raising children or youth with emotional and behavioral health concerns and you need to vent, want emotional support, resource information or need more intensive parent support – call the G.E.A.R. Parent Network anytime at 1-800-264-9224
• Helping your family cope with COVID-19(PDF) (from the IAFF)
• Talking with kids about an infectious disease outbreak
• Taking care of your family during an infectious disease outbreak
• Maine Association for the Education of Young Children
• Maine Child Care Choices
• NAMI-Maine Teen Text Support Line – https://www.namimaine.org/page/teentextline (New 4/24/2020)
• Parenting Guide – https://www.zerotothree.org/parenting
• Psychological First Aid (PFA) for Youth Experiencing Homelessness – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-youth-experiencing-homelessness?utm_source=spotlight&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nctsn-spotlight – Added 4/24
• Homelessness During the Pandemic: What to Do and How to Help
  https://www.mymove.com/moving/covid-19/homelessness-during-coronavirus/– Added 9/30
• Psychological First Aid for Famililes Experiencing Homelessness – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-first-aid-pfa-families-experiencing-homelessness?utm_source=spotlight&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nctsn-spotlight (Added 4/24)
• 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)
• Taking Care of Your Family During COVID-19 and Other Infectious Disease Outbreaks (PDF)Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA)
• Youth and Children with Special Health Care Needs During COVID-19 (PDF)
• 13 things that aren’t helping your mental health as much as you think
• Tips for Socializing Anxious Toddlers
• Mental Health in the LGBT Community
• A Parent’s Guide To Helping Teens Understand and Cope with Stress
• Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Traumatic Events: Tips for Families and Teachers
• Social Media & Suicide – socialmediavictims.org/social-media-and-suicide/

COVID-19 Survivors Support

• Body Politic COVID Support Group (Added 12/22/20)
• COVID-19 Survivors Share How to Recover During Pandemic (Added 12/22/20)
• Long-haulers COVID Facebook Support Group (Added 12/22/20)
• Washington Post Article about Long-haulers of COVID  (Added 12/22/20)

Taking Care of Patients/Clients

• COVID-19 | Five Things About Staying Mentally Healthy During the COVID-19 Outbreak- (Added 4/17/2020) YouTube Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60kGONUJSRY
• Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health and Well-being (Amer. Psychiatric Assn) Foundation’s Center for Workplace Mental Health, CWMH)

Teachers & Parents Help

Self Care for Educators – NCTSN (Added 12/28/2020)

The Notice.Talk.Act.™ at School Distance Learning Infographic helps school staff members better understand how they can Notice changes in a students behavior during distance learning, when to engage in a conversation, and what potential action steps they should take. It follows our Notice. Talk. Act.™ approach for schools.

The Notice.Talk.Act.™ at Home Infographic helps parents/guardians/caregivers better understand how they can notice changes in family member’s behavior, when to engage in a conversation, and what potential action steps they should take. It follows our Notice. Talk. Act.™ approach for homes.

Evaluation of a Sick Child and Return to School and Sports:

• DOE: School Health is on the left-hand side of page half-way down
• School: Pre-screening Tool for School Attendance
• School: COVID-19 Child Feels or Appears Unwell Flowchart​​​​​​​
• Medical Providers: Maine AAP Evaluation of sick child for schools and child care
• DOE/CDC: The Maine CDC, in collaboration with the Maine DOE, has also released a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Investigation of COVID-19 in PreK-12 Schools in Maine (8/28/20)
• Standing Order for testing is available on the Maine CDC website here
• Testing Sites in Maine: https://get-tested-covid19.org/ and www.maine.gov/covid19/restartingmaine/keepmainehealthy/testing
• Referrals for social services can be sent for COVID confirmed, probable, or suspected cases to: DHHS.COVIDsocialsupport@maine.gov
• Medical Providers: Maine Medical Partners Pediatric Cardiology – High School Athlete Post COVID Return to Play Post COVID-19 Infection
• Medical Providers: Maine Chapter of the AAP Site for School Reentry. As documents get updated they will be posted on the MAAP website.

Taking Care of Ourselves

How to Manage Stress for Better Sleep: /https://sleepopolis.com/education/stress   Added 10/15/21

• Self-Compassion Resources for Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Crisis
• Tips for Taking Care of Yourself Checklist – NCTSN (Added 12/28/2020)
• Pause – Reset – Nourish (PRN)* to Promote Wellbeing (Added 12/28/2020)
• Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (APA)Headspace App: Free subscription Headspace Plus for US healthcare professionals. Enroll using your NPI. https://www.headspace.com/health-covid-19
• Headspace for Physicians & Nurses – https://opmed.doximity.com/articles/resources-to-ease-your-life-during-covid-19?_csrf_attempted=yesHow Healthcare Personnel Can Take Care of Themselves
• Free Guided Medication – https://insighttimer.com/
• YOGA for Healthcare Professionals (free) Wednesday and Sunday mornings at 10 A.M. ZOOM MEETING ID: 912-7044-6071 / Password: YOGA. Recorded sessions ready to watch.  Added 4/28/2020.
• StartYourRecovery.org, an important resource for individuals who may be struggling with substance use disorder. (Added 7/29/2021)
• Wwebsite that has videos on meditation, stress management and focused on healthcare workers.  – https://imconsortium.org/well-being%20resources/?utm_source=GDPR+Compliant_Full+List_1.21.20&utm_campaign=578fbe5846EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_02_05_05_35_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_21274f8ee0-578fbe5846-403626897 (Added 5/1/2020)
• Fight COVID with Better Sleep Health – https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_FS_Fight_COVID19_w_Better_Sleep_Health.pdfMental Health Resources for COVID-19 i.e. Added 6/3/2020)
• Feeling anxious about coronavirus? There’s an app for that.
• Guided Meditation – added 9/25/2020
• Managing Stress & Coping with COVID19 – https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787387/all/Managing_Stress_and_Coping_with_COVID_19
• SAMHSA Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks SAMHSA Tips for Healthcare Practitioners and Responders: Helping Survivors Cope with Grief
• Care for your Anxiety:  https://definingwellness.com/resources/common-anxiety-triggers/
• https://www.graniterecoverycenters.com/treatment-program/mental-health/generalized-anxiety-disorder
• The Stress you are feeling is Grief – https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief Added 4/20/2020
• Coping with the Stress of Coronavirus – Added: 4/29/2020 https://postgraduateeducation.hms.harvard.edu/continuing-education/covid-19-resources-providers#April%201
• How to manage anxiety during a pandemic  (Added 5/28/2020)
• CDC Covid19 – How to manage stress  plus other info & resources – (Added 8/4/2020)https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Emergency Responders / Critical Incident Stress Management

• SAMHSA – The Dialogue 2018, Vol 14, Issue 1 – Effects of Trauma on First Responders
• SAMHSA’s First Responders and Disaster Responders Resource Portal tips, online trainings about stress management, compassion fatigue, responding to those with behavioral health disorders; includes information specific to behavioral health providers
• 5 ways first responders can focus on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic – https://www.ems1.com/mental-health/articles/5-ways-first-responders-can-focus-on-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-TNaGHjqNcX4s9S1F/?utm_source=EMS1+Member+Newsletter&utm_campaign=3b4c545754-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_23_09_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dcef1702d6-3b4c545754-62883099
• Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself (Added 5/29/2020)

Maine EMS

Maine EMS Regions provide Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) resources to regional EMS services, EMD centers and personnel.  These resources are available 24/7.M

Maine EMS COVID 19 First Responder Playbook (Updated Nov. 2020)

• Atlantic Partners EMS CISM Call the regional number below and indicate you need CISM assistance
  • Region 1: 1-207-662-2950York, Cumberland and Sagadahoc;
  • Region 3: 1-207-861-4244Kennebec and Somerset;
  • Region 4: 1-207-907-1000Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Washington;
  • Region 6: 1-207-861-4244Lincoln, Waldo,and Knox
• Tri-County EMS CISM1-207-777-6000 and indicate you need CISM Assistance
  • Region 2: Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford
• Aroostook CISM1-207-492-1624
  • Region 5: Aroostook
• NAEMT Mental Health Resources
• Code Green Resources
• Behavioral Health Considerations for COVID-19(PDF) (From IAFF)
• Life of a paramedic in Westchester County. https://time.com/collection-post/5815747/coronavirus-paramedic-experience/
• Managing Stress during the COVID-19 Outbreak(PDF) (from the National Center for PTSD)
• Self-Care during COVID-19(PDF) (From Dr. Laurie Cyr-Martel and the Tri-County EMS CISM Team)
• Tips for Managers during the COVID-19 Pandemic(PDF) (From Dr. Laurie Cyr-Martel and the Tri-County EMS CISM Team)

Law Enforcement

• copline.org: COPLINE is dedicated to serving law enforcement officers and their families by providing 24/7 trained peer support for crisis intervention along with referrals to specifically skilled mental health professionals for follow up and continued assistance.

Veterans & Military Help

• Uniformed Services University Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress. Sustaining the well-being of health care personnel during the coronavirus.
• VA Center for PTSD – Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Outbreak
• VA Center for PTSD – Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with COVID-19 Virus
• Supporting military families during Coronavirus outbreak

Bias, Equity & Race Resources During COVID

• American Psychological Assn. COVID-19 Equity Resources – Added 12/21/2020
• Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups – CDC – (Added 12/21/2020)
• COVID Resources that Take Race Seriously – Embrace Race (Added 12/21/2020)
• COVID-19 Resources – NAACP (Added 12/21/2020)
• Resources for Biracial People, Indigenous People, and People of Color (BIPOC) about COVID-19 – NCCS Clearinghouse (Added 12/21/2020)

New Mainers

• Vermont Multilingual Coronavirus Task Force, produced a large number of resources in a much wider selection of common refugee languages (14 and counting) than seen elsewhere.  Their YouTube channel has them organized by language and type: (Added 3/5/2021) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3zjPpeFnXqvESr1y3d4DvQ/featured
• The New Mainers Public Health Initiative: works collaboratively within the community to educate New Mainers regarding public health initiatives, 280 Lisbon Street #276 Lewiston, 207-241-0546
• Bright Future Healthier You 207-782-8803, Park Street, suite 506 in Lewiston.  Offering primarily adult and children’s case management, and in-home supports.
• Gateway Community Services – formed in Portland to serve New Mainers.  They may offer Section 28, BHHO, Personal Care Service, Community Integration and targeted case management, and counseling-please contact them to confirm services offered.  Portland 501 Forest Ave. Portland, ME 207-536-1590 / Biddeford 443 Main Street 207-536-5903 / Lewiston 124 Canal Street 207-536-5999 / Augusta 12 Shumman Ave. 207-512-4666
• Immigrant Resource Center of Maine – provides cultural brokering, advocacy, and problem solving, 265 Lisbon Street, suite 2, Lewiston, ME, 207-753-006
• Tree Street Youth – After School and enrichment programs, college prep, summer program, 144 Howe Street Lewiston, 207-577-6386
• All of the translated docs can be found here: https://www.portlandmaine.gov/467/Minority-Health-Program (Added 4/24/2020)

• First Responders and Disaster Responders Resource Portal

Coping with Economical Challenges

• Covid-19 Personal Finance Guide: https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/covid-19-personal-finance-guide#overall-financial-health-amid-covid19 – Added 4/29/2020
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents –https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3e9ZCu8&data=02%7C01%7C
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth High School and College Age – https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F39VAeF2&data=02%7C01%7
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Community Organizations and Leaders – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/coping-hard-times-fact-sheet-community-organizations-and-leaders?
• Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for School Staff – https://www.nctsn.org/resources/coping-hard-times-fact-sheet-school-staff?utm_source=spotlight&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nctsn-spotlight

Unemployment, Health Insurance Updates, Food Supplement, Cash Assistance:

• Consumers for Affordable Health Care 
• Benefits for Uninsured
• Maine Unemployment 
• Unemployment benefits finder from the US Department of Labor
• My Maine Connection – now only accepting mailed in and online applications for SNAP, Health Care, and Cash Assistance
• Rx, Go – a free prescription discount card and website to compare prescription prices
• P-EBT – pandemic EBT, extra SNAP for kids whose schools were closed. This help is also available for children in immigrant families with any immigration status or no status. Maine Equal Justice has information on applying on their website.

Inspirational

• https://shiftchangelove.org/   It’s a pop-up repository of solidarity for our COVID-19 frontline healthcare teams in Maine.  – check it out, add to it and have fun. (Added 5/13/2020)
• The person behind the Mask – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF4xh_N1gkQ&feature=youtu.be
• uplifting story of the teamwork and assistance of EMS personnel assisting hospital staff in N.J.
  https://www.ems1.com/coronavirus-covid-19/articles/off-duty-ems-providers-answer-call-for-help-from-overwhelmed-hospital-staff-qqZfAFCKWJRMg4FX/

Trainings

• SAMHSA Online Disaster Behavioral Health Trainings
• Webinar: Introduction to Virtual Recovery Support Services
• FEMA: The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) offers self-paced courses designed for people who have emergency management responsibilities and the general public. All are offered free-of-charge to those who qualify for enrollment. To get a complete listing of courses, view the list of active courses.

Free Online Resources for Clinicians & Patients

• Ten Percent Coronavirus Sanity Guide https://bit.ly/2UCLXmg
• Yale’s most popular class “The Science of Wellbeing” is free online via Coursera
• The Jed Foundation Tips for Self-Care and Managing Stress
• University of Washington workforce assistance
• Support for Professionals – free, informal phone or video chats with volunteer clinicians from UW Dept of Psychiatry, Mon-Fri 9 to 4 (chats beyond these hours). Request online via COVID Support Request Survey or leave confidential message 206-221-2768

CDC Information

• Guidance on prevention and control
• Guidance for travelers
• Coronavirus Stigma and Resilience
• Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
• Maine CDC

Public Mental Health Crisis Resources

• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline information
• SAMHSA Mental Health & Substance Use Recovery – phone/online incl. domestic violence
• Talking with kids about an infectious disease outbreak
• Taking care of your family during an infectious disease outbreak
• Taking care of your behavioral health: Tips for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation
• US CDC COVID-19 Mental Health and Coping

COVID-19 Resources

• Distant Together  https://www.distanttogether.org/ (Added 6/1/2020)
• Homeless System Response & Winter Months (Added 11/10/2020)
• Translated files – including audio files at Catholic Charities: – https://www.ccmaine.org/share-facts-about-covid-19 (Added 4/24/2020)

Hot & Warm Lines

• Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group, has opened its Emotional-Support Help Line. Professionally trained mental health staff are there to support people who may be suffering from fear or stress over COVID-19. Optum’s Emotional-Support Help Line number is 866-342-6892 and will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free of charge and open to anyone
• 24/7 Statewide Crisis Line 888-568-1112
• 24/7 Peer Support Warm line 866-771-9276
• 24/7 Suicide Hotline 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)
• Call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Text HOME to 741-741 for Crisis Text Line
• Call 1-800-488-7386, text START to 678-678 or online chat The Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth)
• Call 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22-522 online chat National Domestic Violence Hotline

Maine 211 (for a variety of resources)

• Dial 211
• Text your zip code to 898-211
• Visit the 211 website 

National Alliance on Mental illness (NAMI – Maine Chapter)

• NAMI Maine Helpline 1-800-464-5767 (Press 1)
• Maine Crisis Line 1-888-568-1112
• Crisis Text Line – TEXT “HOME” to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990 or TEXT “TalkWithUs” to 66746
  • Provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters.  This is a multilingual, confidential crisis support service.