Community support and well-being

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COVID-19 is hard. For many of us, life was already stressful enough. Loss, uncertainty, and changes to our daily routine, plans for the future, health, and emotions can be hard to deal with. You may feel stressed, worried, afraid, irritable, frustrated or sad. It’s important to have help when these feelings get overwhelming.

On this page, you'll find ways to connect with people who want to help including how to...

• Talk to someone right now
• Get help finding a counselor
• Change the conversation on mental health
• Connect to the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) for more community resources

Image credit: Toka Valu

Depicted here is a typical day at a PICA-WA food distribution site. In times of hardship, our Pasifika communities have always responded by rallying to support each other, a demonstration of the resilience of our community.

• Learn to support people experiencing mental health conditions

Talk to someone right now

• Teenlink
  A free helpline for teens and those who care for them. Call 1-866-833-6546, chat, or text. Visit their website for more information, tips and local resources.
  
  
• Friendship Line
  Trained volunteers offer a caring ear and friendly conversation for adults, age 60 and older, and adults living with disabilities. Call 1-800-971-0016 or visit their website to connect.
  
  
• Crisis Line
  Trained counselors available for individuals, families and friends. Call 1-866-427-4747, text HOME to 741741.
  
  
• WA Listens
  Non-clinical support to people experiencing elevated stress due to COVID-19. Call 1-833-681-0211 to be connected to a live support specialist.
  
  
• Washington Recovery Helpline
  Professionally trained volunteers and staff are available to provide emotional support 24 hours a day, and offer local treatment resources for substance use, problem gambling and mental health.
  
  
• The Trevor Project
  Trained counselors available for LGBTQ youth call the TrevorLifeline now at 1-866-488-7386.
  
  
• StrongHearts Native Helpline A safe domestic, dating and sexual violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
  
  
• Warm Line Peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges. Call 877- 500-WARM (9276) TTY 206-461-3610.
  
  
• King County resources for domestic violence

Connect with a counselor

Finding support for you or a loved one can feel challenging. Below are a few ways to get connected to a counselor. Note: Low to no cost and insurance covered options are available.

• King County Department of Community and Human Services
  Provides referrals for mental health and substance use services for Apple Health or Medicaid. Call 206-263-8997 or 1-800-790-8049.
  
  
• The Community Health Access Program (CHAP)
  Connects you with care you can afford. Interpreters are available. Call 1-800-756-5437 or email: CHAP@kingcounty.gov
  
  
• Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens
  Provides referral service for youth under 18 years old and their families. Get connected to mental health providers that meet your needs and your insurance coverage.
  
  
• Washington Counselors of Color Directory
  Provides counseling and therapy from providers who understand the specific needs of people of color and various cultures.
  
  
• NAMI Seattle's resources for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
  
  
• Washington Therapy Fund Foundation
  Empowers people of color through mental health education and radical self care.
  
  
• Mental Health America
  Provides online screening to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.

Change the conversation around mental health

• Mental Health Myths and Facts
  Mental health and mental illness are often misunderstood topics. How we understand and talk about mental health may impact how others reach out for support.
  
  
• FindYourWords
  Depression can be hard to recognize or talk about. Learn from FindYourWords more about depression, how to help others or how to find support for yourself.
  
  
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  Suicide can affect everyone. Learn about suicide prevention and support for those affected.
  
  
• South King Emotional Wellness League
  A community partnership promoting mental health and emotional well-being in south King County communities most impacted by COVID19 and police violence, including virtual mental health supports and other resources.
  
  
• Racial Trauma
  Racial trauma, or race-based traumatic stress (RBTS), refers to the mental and emotional injury caused by encounters with racial bias and ethnic discrimination, racism, and hate crimes.
  
  
• Seattle Children's
  Provides mental health information and resources for children and youth.
  
  
• Lambert House
  Resources for LGBTQ youth and their families.

Connect to what's
important to you

Emotional health is supported through many different ways, including connections to people, pursuits, and personal purpose. Connect with what makes your life meaningful, your faith, your spiritual practice. All of these strengthen our emotional health and help us get through hard times.

Some of these links may be helpful for brainstorming ways to maintain your emotional health:

• How Right Now:
  An interactive tool for inspiration and resources to find what helps
  
  
• Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)
  For suggestions on how to engage in indigenous sweat practices during COVID-19, view NPAIHB's "Exercise Safe Sweats” videos.
  
  
• Washington State Dept. of Health
  
  • Ingredients of Resilience
    Tips on strengthening our resilience.
    
    
  • COVID-19 Behavioral Health Toolbox for Families
    Resources for families in supporting children and teens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    
    
• Find resources to quit smoking or vaping and learn the facts about tobacco

Link/share our site at kingcounty.gov/covid/support