The stress and anxiety caused by the continued spread of COVID-19 can be overwhelming, especially for people with opioid use disorder. Stand Up Mississippi has gathered resources to help people take care of their mental health during these uncertain times. If you need immediate assistance, call the Mississippi Department of Mental Health Hotline at 1-877-210-8513 to receive referral and information to services and supports in Mississippi.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips for coping with stress.
You can find more guidance from the CDC on the COVID-19 coronavirus here.
You can find the latest information from the Mississippi State Department of Health here.
We have compiled several additional resources below. We encourage you to remain connected, support each other, and stay well.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health During Social Distancing
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers tips for caring for your mental health during social distancing, quarantine, and isolation. The resource includes information about feelings to expect, ways to support yourself, where to find reliable information, and links to other national resources.
Addiction Medication Treatment
Addiction medication providers and programs across the country or working to continue providing care safely during the pandemic. The American Society of Addiction Medicine convened a task force to establish guidelines serving patients. They have organized resources for health care providers, such as guidance on mitigating infection in outpatient and residential treatment facilities. The site also includes information for the public, such as telehealth addiction resources and support groups.
COVID-19 and Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
People recovering from a substance use disorder could have an especially difficult time recovering from COVID-19. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), provides an overview of the risks and potential outcomes, and how researchers are working to find solutions.
Virtual Recovery Resources
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a list of virtual recovery programs offered around the country. View SAMHSA’s virtual recovery tip sheet for a brief description and links to the program websites.
Daily Virtual Recovery Meetings
Social distancing guidelines may have put a temporary hold on face-to-face meetings. However, several organizations and treatment facilities have created online communities to continue support and recovery meetings. Visit the following sites to learn more about online meetings.
ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A CRISIS SITUATION?
Mobile Crisis Response Teams provide guidance and support to adults and children who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Response teams are available in all 82 counties. They can be accessed by calling the toll-free numbers that are answered around the clock by Licensed Therapists, Peer Support Specialists, and Community Support Specialists. Response teams respond wherever a person is experiencing a crisis or at a designated location, like a local hospital. Services are funded by the Department of Mental Health and provided by the 14 Community Mental Health Centers.
National crisis lifelines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you. The Department of Mental Health Helpline will remain staffed at all times. Call 1-877-210-8513 for information about services or supports near you.
The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.