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 currently open to the public, and staff members and volunteers are answering our phone line (719.473.8477) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
NAMI support groups have gone virtual (on Zoom), but remain free and open to the community. No registration is required. You'll find background and login information on Connection Support Group, for people experiencing mental health issues, here. Family Support Group information, for loved ones of people experiencing mental health issues, is 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 currently open to the public, and staff members and volunteers are answering our phone line (719.473.8477) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
NAMI support groups have gone virtual (on Zoom), but remain free and open to the community. No registration is required. You'll find background and login information on Connection Support Group, for people experiencing mental health issues, here. Family Support Group information, for loved ones of people experiencing mental health issues, is 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 mid-2021, members of the Colorado Spirit COVID Crisis Response Team will be based at Diversus Health. 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 here.
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 frequent 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.
NAMI Colorado Springs has partnered with the National Institute for Human Resilience at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and AspenPointe to connect people to GRIT training. GRIT — standing for Greater Resilience Information Toolkit — is a free, five-hour, self-paced online training that helps people strengthen their resilience and to better support those in their social network.
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 frequent 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.
NAMI Colorado Springs has partnered with the National Institute for Human Resilience at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and AspenPointe to connect people to GRIT training. GRIT — standing for Greater Resilience Information Toolkit — is a free, five-hour, self-paced online training that helps people strengthen their resilience and to better support those in their social network.
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!