Responding to the pandemic
COVID-19 is bringing about a host of new mental health challenges, and intensifying existing ones. If you are in crisis, please find emergency resources — both local services and state and national hotlines — here.
The NAMI office at 1615 S. Murray Blvd., is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitors can expect COVID-19 safety precautions, including social distancing and the wearing of masks. (Visitors are welcome to use their own mask, or to grab a disposable one upon entry.) Of course, anyone who's more comfortable connecting by phone is welcome to call 719.473.8477.
An in-person Connection Support Group for people with mental illness happens at 7 p.m. each Tuesday at the office. On Wednesdays at 7, family members will find an in-person Family Support Group here. In addition to the aforementioned social distancing and mask-wearing, we are requiring pre-registration, which allows us to ensure that groups do not exceed 10 people. Call 719.473.8477 or email volunteer and programs manager Lynn Shull by noon on the day of the group to pre-register.
As for virtual groups, we are offering:
• Basics Support Group (for parents) from 7 to 8:30 p.m., on the second and fourth Mondays of the month;
• Family Support Group from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays;
• Connection Support Group, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesdays;
• a Faith-Friendly Family Support Group at 7 p.m., on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.
Information on how to join a virtual group is available here.
If you’re seeking another type of help, below are some of the best resources of which we're currently aware. If you know of others that we should post, please call 719.473.8477 or email us.
Most importantly, please know that you can reach out for any reason. You are not alone during this crisis.
The NAMI office at 1615 S. Murray Blvd., is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitors can expect COVID-19 safety precautions, including social distancing and the wearing of masks. (Visitors are welcome to use their own mask, or to grab a disposable one upon entry.) Of course, anyone who's more comfortable connecting by phone is welcome to call 719.473.8477.
An in-person Connection Support Group for people with mental illness happens at 7 p.m. each Tuesday at the office. On Wednesdays at 7, family members will find an in-person Family Support Group here. In addition to the aforementioned social distancing and mask-wearing, we are requiring pre-registration, which allows us to ensure that groups do not exceed 10 people. Call 719.473.8477 or email volunteer and programs manager Lynn Shull by noon on the day of the group to pre-register.
As for virtual groups, we are offering:
• Basics Support Group (for parents) from 7 to 8:30 p.m., on the second and fourth Mondays of the month;
• Family Support Group from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays;
• Connection Support Group, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesdays;
• a Faith-Friendly Family Support Group at 7 p.m., on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.
Information on how to join a virtual group is available here.
If you’re seeking another type of help, below are some of the best resources of which we're currently aware. If you know of others that we should post, please call 719.473.8477 or email us.
Most importantly, please know that you can reach out for any reason. You are not alone during this crisis.
Local counseling options
Many local mental health organizations have pivoted to providing telehealth services, and most of those are accepting new patients. Find a (non-comprehensive) rundown of who is doing what on this spreadsheet. If you’d like to see another group added here, feel free to email us with the same information you see on the spreadsheet (organization name, telehealth availability, etc.).
Resources for the general public
Into 2021, members of the Colorado Spirit COVID Crisis Response Team will be based at AspenPointe. These outreach professionals provide brief contacts by phone or by video technology (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.) to help people build resilience and find support, including coping skills and connection to resources. They can also speak at team meetings or town halls, or provide educational talks on anxiety, grief, or stress. All services are paid for by FEMA. Contact them at covidresponse@aspenpointe.org or find out more at aspenpointe.org/covidresponse.
NAMI national has published a “COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources” packet that addresses questions such as, “I’m quarantined or working from home — lonely and isolated even further — what can I do?” and “I don’t have health insurance or a regular doctor — how can I get care?”
The Disaster Distress Helpline, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), provides free, 24/7 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to crises such as COVID-19. You can call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
The Social Work License Map site lists 60 digital, national-level mental-health resources, organized by both population and disorder.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is making daily updates to a page of “Helpful Expert Tips and Resources” about coronavirus anxiety. It includes videos as well as blog posts that range in subject matter from mindfulness to parenting to responding to racism during the outbreak.
Locally, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is offering free, open-to-the-public daily virtual classes devoted to emotional and physical wellness.
Various meditation apps are offering free services during the crisis. Among them are Headspace, Calm and Simple Habit. Meanwhile, Sounds True has provided a “digital care package” of free audio and video resources dedicated to helping promote and preserve personal resilience.
NAMI national has published a “COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources” packet that addresses questions such as, “I’m quarantined or working from home — lonely and isolated even further — what can I do?” and “I don’t have health insurance or a regular doctor — how can I get care?”
The Disaster Distress Helpline, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), provides free, 24/7 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to crises such as COVID-19. You can call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
The Social Work License Map site lists 60 digital, national-level mental-health resources, organized by both population and disorder.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is making daily updates to a page of “Helpful Expert Tips and Resources” about coronavirus anxiety. It includes videos as well as blog posts that range in subject matter from mindfulness to parenting to responding to racism during the outbreak.
Locally, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center is offering free, open-to-the-public daily virtual classes devoted to emotional and physical wellness.
Various meditation apps are offering free services during the crisis. Among them are Headspace, Calm and Simple Habit. Meanwhile, Sounds True has provided a “digital care package” of free audio and video resources dedicated to helping promote and preserve personal resilience.
For healthcare workers
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has published a set of "resilience and wellness resources" with medical providers in mind. A number of those resources also would be valuable to a more general audience.
For older adults
Innovations in Aging created a clearinghouse of COVID-19-related tips for seniors in March. It's actually a mix of locally relevant and universally practical information. Though some information may now be out of date, there is some evergreen content, such as a step-by-step guide to video calling family members.
For those navigating substance use
The Colorado Springs Area Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous has posted a full rundown of local virtual AA meetings.
For those who identify as LGBTQ
Inside/Out Youth Services, which provides services and safe spaces to LGBTQ+ young people, has put together a list of supports and resources that they can access from home. It’s also offering online chat rooms and virtual programs on weekdays.
Please note: While we will do our best to keep this information current, we could use your help. If you know of any changes that should be made, please email or call us at 719.473.8477. And thank you!