Mental health is a serious matter and, like all health conditions, can be hard to find treatment for during a national pandemic like COVID-19. In fact, people that are currently dealing with a mental health condition — such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, or depression — may feel their symptoms exacerbated by the pandemic and the need to stay inside as much as possible.
While at-home exercise and a healthy diet can help, sometimes more is needed.
Thankfully, there are mental and behavioral health services being made available to all Michiganders through various nonprofits and partnerships. From tele-health phone calls to meditation playlists, below you will find some of these services with links to learn more about each of them and how they can help you or someone you know.
Community Care Services
As a nonprofit agency, Community Care Services (CCS) helps people with mental health and substance use disorders through a variety of programs. However, during the pandemic, they have been designated an Urgent Behavioral Health Care Services Provider by Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). This means that if your current treatment provider is not available right now, you can find help at CCS through walk-ins at their office in Lincoln Park or by calling them at (313) 389-7500. Mention that you are seeking urgent behavioral health services. These options are available to any adult or child in need of mental health services.
Warmline from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has opened a “warmline” for anyone in Michigan dealing with mental health conditions, regardless of insurance status. By calling 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753), seven days a week from 10 a.m. till 2 a.m., you will be connected with a certified support specialist who has personal experience with behavioral health issues, trauma, or personal crises, and have received training in order to help others with the same or similar issues.
“The warmline will help individuals with long-term mental health challenges find someone to talk to – someone who has lived these challenges themselves – and do it while staying safe and staying home,” said MDHHS director Robert Gordon. “COVID-19 is a grave threat not just to physical health, but also to mental health, and we are doing everything we can to offer support for everyone.”
If you are experiencing a crisis, such as contemplating suicide, you are urged to contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 or the National Suicde Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Both of these life-saving helplines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Headspace
Headspace, known for its meditation and mindfulness smartphone app, has teamed up with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and MDHHS to provide a series of guided meditations and at-home workouts for free through any internet web browser. The initiative is called “Stay home, stay MIndful” and features audio clips and videos that teach users how to meditate, exercise, and focus on oneself all while staying indoors at home. The hope is that these exercises will help Michiganders deal with stress and anxiety while sheltering in place.