Pastoral Care Resources

• Lessons from Ministry in the Midst of Disaster, from a clergy person in Sandy Hook, CT
• Prayers written or adapted by chaplains from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in response to the Covid-19 crisis
• NAMI’s Ending the Silence is a 60- minute presentation that helps raise awareness around mental health conditions

Concerns Related to Mental Health

Resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Taking care of your mental health in times of uncertainty
• Managing your mental health – CNN Town Hall
• Supporting your mental health in a time of change
• CDC tips for managing anxiety & stress
• Mental Health and COVID 19
• TEC Faith Formation Mental Health Resources

Concerns Related to Mental Illness

Though you are not likely to be involved in the treatment or management of mental illness, you can be helpful by becoming familiar with your local service providers. Which ones are still open? Which mental health providers have telemedicine options?

• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Many churches have struggled with having to close their buildings to substance abuse recovery meetings. You can still help support those in recovery by helping direct them to alternate resources in place, including many online options. If you have closed meetings temporarily at your site, be sure to leave signs on your doors letting people know how they can get in touch with the local Central Service Office to find alternative locations/methods of connecting.

When it comes to addictive substances, be sure to check in with parishioners and yourself during this time. Are you drinking more? Is alcohol affecting your mood in a negative way? Are you relying on medication more than usual? Be on the lookout for substance abuse developing during this stressful time.

• AA Meeting Locator 1-844-334-6862
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

When checking in with parishioners, or should a parishioner reach out to you, be aware of some of the warning signs related to suicidal thoughts. Risk factors for suicide include: 1. Do they have a plan? 2. Is there a history of attempt or relative who has died by suicide? 3. Do they have access to means? If you do not feel comfortable assessing risk for suicide, this is a good time to reach out to a colleague to refresh those skills.

If you discover someone is thinking about it, ask the question, "Are you thinking of hurting/killing yourself?" Ask about their plan, history and means, and immediately connect them with a community resource (now is a good time to familiarize yourself with and know those resources). Get them to promise to get help, and follow up. Help them think through people they can call. Most people who are suicidal are not acutely suicidal every minute, so help buy them time to get past the tunnel vision that says this is the only way out.

If you encounter this situation, remember to take the time afterward to care for yourself as well.

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

LISTEN: From Episcopal Relief & Development - Addressing Isolation and Quarantine (from webinar recorded March 20 and includes discussion related to domestic violence)

Unfortunately, for some, the mandatory "stay-at-home" order is asking them to stay in a place that is not safe, adding yet another layer of stress and anxiety to an already stressful time. If you know of someone at risk of domestic violence, encourage them to work on developing a safety plan, including having a bag stored away, knowing who you can go to, having important papers and prescriptions ready to go. Shelters and other essential operations are still open and follow guidelines to help keep people healthy.

For those who have struggled with anger or whose stress might escalate, know the triggers and identify actions that can help diffuse them.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• South Carolina Domestic Violence Response Resources
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Discussing Coronavirus with Children and Youth

• Helping Kids Understand Coronavirus and Cope with Their Worries (from Birch Counseling)
• Discussing Coronavirus with Your Children (from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress)
• Finding the Right Words to Talk with Children and Teens about Coronavirus (from CSTS)

Concerns Related to Isolation

LISTEN: From Episcopal Relief & Development - Addressing Isolation and Quarantine (from webinar recorded March 20)

For many, especially those living alone, the challenges of being in isolation during this stay-at-home order extends far beyond boredom and the stress of a dwindling toilet paper supply. Stress, decreasing self-care and in-place stresses like mental illness, substance abuse issues and thoughts of suicide can all be exacerbated in isolation. Everyone, even those without prior histories of substance abuse, family violence or mental health conditions, may very well be struggling with those issues now or in the coming weeks. Please ask everyone about their substance use, family relationships, and mental wellness in your pastoral check-in calls. This will help normalize that these issues might emerge and that their church community is a safe place to bring them.

• How to prevent loneliness in a time of social distancing (from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
• Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak (SAMHSA)
• How to include marginalized and vulnerable people in risk communication and community enagagement
• Crisis Text Line (Text SIGNS to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling): serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via text. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds quickly.

Additional COVID-19 Resources

• 10 Guidelines for Pastoral Care During the Coronavirus Outbreak, Christian Century
• 20 Beats 19: Spiritual Resilience in a Time of Pandemic, from Psychology Today