COVID-19 Resources

Below is a list of websites that provide a host of information ranging from child, adolescent, and adult general mental health issues to internet sites for support and resources regarding behavioral medicine topics and medical diagnoses.

Access to free Psychotherapy Services for Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(You do not have to move through this experience alone, trained behavioral health experts are here for you!):

1. Trauma Response Network-Chicago for healthcare professionals and other front line workers in Illinois is offering access to licensed clinical therapists. They will provide front line workers up to 5 free and confidential EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy Sessions through a secure telemedicine platform. If you would like to talk with a licensed psychotherapist trained in EMDR, e-mail sharon@stecklerlcsw.com or call (847) 337-9899.

Free Meditation Resources and Courses in Psychology that Promote Well-Being for Healthcare Professionals and the General Public:

1. Healthy Living Counseling Centers’ certified iRest Meditation Practitioner Jacqui Neurauter is offering Free Live iRest Yoga Nidra Meditations on Thursdays at 1 pm & Sundays at 11 am in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. All iRest Meditation sessions will be offered via phone or Zoom meetings starting with the month of April – until further notice. Email Jacqui for more information: Jacqui@HarmoniousPathways.com and to register.

2. https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/blog/free-online-event-coming-to-your-senses (Licia Sky is an artist, musician, bodywork therapist, yoga practitioner, and dancers. She shows us how to foster contact, connection, and touch through self holding and how we can notice the nuances of what we are sensing right in this moment.)

3. https://www.tarabrach.com/pandemic/ (Dr. Tara Brach’s free Guided Meditations for times of Pandemic)

4. https://soundstrue.lpages.co/mindfulness-daily/ (A Free 40-Day Training Program from two of the world’s most respected and gifted meditation teachers, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Experience the complete program for yourself. Receive your free download of Mindfulness Daily today.)

5. https://chopracentermeditation.com/?_ga=2.189575848.2034886971.1586560115-970026339.1586560115 ( 21 DAYS OF Free MEDITATION, Finding hope in uncertain times. Join Deepak Chopra, Oprah, and millions of meditators around the world to find peace of mind in the midst of turmoil, and do your part to help our global community find hope and optimism).

6. https://palousemindfulness.com/ (The site offers a free online 8 Week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR training course) program. The site is an excellent resource if you wish to learn more about mindfulness.

7. http://www.freemindfulness.org/covid19 (The Free Mindfulness Project provides a list of numerous free, mindfulness-related resources for easy access.).

8. Headspace is offering all US healthcare professionals who work in public health settings free access to Headspace Plus through 2020 (https://www.headspace.com/health-covid-19). All you need is an NPI number and for healthcare providers that don’t have one they can complete a separate form on their website to request free access to this wonderful tool.

9. Headspace is a well-known App for learning mindfulness. There is a subscription to access the full range of resources within the App, but a specific free section called ‘Weathering the Storm’ has been put together in response to Coronavirus for the general public (https://www.headspace.com/covid-19).

10. https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being (Yale University is offering a free course online, The Science of Well-Being, that teaches you how to be happier. In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life.)

11. https://www.coursera.org/learn/resilience-uncertainty (We are all facing different and difficult challenges as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to support you in this time of uncertainty, the University of Pennsylvania is sharing this free and unique version of Dr. Karen Reivich’s “Resilience Skills” course from the Specialization Foundations of Positive Psychology. Learn how to incorporate resilience interventions into your personal and professional life with Dr. Karen Reivich. In this course, you are exposed to the foundational research in resilience, including protective factors such as mental agility and optimism. Several types of resilience interventions are explored including cognitive strategies; strategies to manage anxiety and increase positive emotions such as gratitude; and a critical relationship enhancement skill. Throughout the course, you will hear examples of individuals using resilience skills in their personal and professional lives.

12. https://www.tenpercent.com/ (Ten Percent Happier – although a paid service, TPH is currently providing a free, live guided meditation at 3 pm EST every weekday. The company also offers any healthcare worker a free subscription to their app, as a thank you for their services. (Free with in-app purchases; available on iOS and Android).

13. https://www.thetappingsolutionapp.com/ (6 months free for First Responders and HealthCare Workers (Tapping Meditations).

14. https://www.thetappingsolutionapp.com/ (A Free Coronavirus Stress and Anxiety Collection Available Now for the general public! These Tapping Meditations will help you release your anxiety so you can support your immune system, feel more at peace, and empowered to take any steps necessary to protect yourself. Please take some time to tap and share with others who need it!).

15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5akULIUnZwI (Tips for falling asleep with the added anxiety of the pandemic with Dr. Jud Brewer)

16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANZfVnjCmXk (Body Scan Meditation Guided by Dr. Jud Brewer)

Helping Children Cope with COVID-19

1. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/helping-children-cope-with-changes-resulting-from-covid-19 (Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19).

2. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus (Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus)

The COVID-19 time capsule is created by Long Creations – and gives your child an opportunity to document what we’re going through. They can write about how they are feeling, what’s happening at home and in their communities. It’s something to save and look back on at the role they played in this historic moment.
Download MY COVID-19 TIME CAPSULE

Below is a list of websites that provide a host of information ranging from child, adolescent, and adult general mental health issues to internet sites for support and resources regarding behavioral medicine topics and medical diagnoses.

GENERAL ADULT MENTAL HEALTH

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Home page of ADAA, with links pertinent to anxiety disorders throughout the lifespan. Includes some self-tests for adults, children, and parents as well.

National Institute of Mental Health
This is the branch of federal government that sponsors research on mental health. The site provides a summary of major psychological disorders as well as research-based information on causes and treatments.

PsychCentral
A site with an abundance of information about mental health, including articles and essays, book reviews, live chats, discussion forums, and links to mental health resources.

Mental Help Net
Mental Help Net is an established and highly regarded internet website dedicated to educating the public about mental health, wellness, and family and relationship issues and concerns. Designed and maintained by clinical psychologists, the site provides scientifically accurate and up-to-date coverage.

American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association provides an overview of how therapy works, the different approaches to treatment, and how to choose a psychologist at this helpful site.

Domestic Violence: Between Friends is an organization that offers help, information, and resources regarding domestic violence.  sonal strategies for enhancing resilience.
http://www.betweenfriendschicago.org/index.html

CHILD & ADOLESCENT GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH

American Psychological Association: Child Treatment
Information on children and families from the American Psychological Association. Provides a variety of psychology-related press releases, news updates, and articles from the Monitor on Psychology.

Tufts University Child and Family WebGuide
The WebGuide is a directory that evaluates, describes, and provides links to hundreds of sites containing child development research and practical advice. Topics such as promoting healthy eating, adoption, and attachment in children, are selected on the basis of parent recommendations; they cover all ages, from early child development through adolescence.

C.H.A.D.D.: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The largest national ADD organization, with on-line fact sheets and information about the disorder.

www.autism-society.org
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.

BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE

Coping with a Miscarriage

Newlyweds.about.com
Couples Coping with Miscarriage, June, 2010.

American Pregnancy Association
http://americanpregnancy.org/
Web site promoting pregnancy wellness and information about pregnancy complications.

Baby Loss:   www.babyloss.com

Miscarriage Support Auckland Inc.:  www.miscarriagesupport.org.nz

M.I.S.S.:  www.missfoundation.org

Pregnancy Loss:  www.pregnancyloss.info

American Society for Reproductive Medicine:  www.asrm.org

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression Doesn’t Go Away By Itself – Depression
www.health.com/health/condition-video/0,,20193997,00.html        
Dr. Helen Coons explains why women can suffer from postpartum depression for so long without treatment.

Postpartum Support International: PSI is dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
http://www.postpartum.net/

Free educational booklet available for download for Depression During & After Pregnancy: A Resource for Women, Their Families & Friends.
http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/pregnancyandbeyond/depression/index.html

Reproductive Medicine Information

American Society for Reproductive Medicine:  www.asrm.org

Cancer: Fertility issues and pain management

Coping with Cancer, “Seven Tips for Dating After a Cancer Diagnosis.” March/April 2009.
http://copingmag.com/cwc/index.php/article/seven_tips_for_dating_after_a_cancer_diagnosis

Coping with Cancer, the magazine for people whose lives have been touched by cancer
http://copingmag.com/cwc/index.php/about/about_magazines/coping_with_cancer/

Fertile Hope is a national LIVESTRONG initiative dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
http://www.fertilehope.org

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org

Pain Control: A Guide for People with Cancer and Their Families
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/pain/paindiary/pain-control-toc

Breast Cancer & Cancer Survivorship

American Psychological Association,
“Young Women Coping with Breast Cancer”, November 24, 2009.

“How Breast Cancer May Affect Body Image,” from About.com, December 5, 2008,
http://breastcancer.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Conditions-and-diseases/How-Breast-Cancer-May-Affect-Body-Image.htm

Fighting Sex and Body Changes After Breast Cancer…
Psychologist Helen Coons, PhD, clinical director of Women’s …
2 min 53 sec – www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dln21XcVsM

American Psychological Association, “Just Diagnosed with Breast Cancer?  How to tell the kids.” October 13, 2011.
http://www.yourmindyourbody.org/just-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-how-to-tell-the-kids

Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is an international organization focusing on women ages 40 and under who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
http://www.youngsurvival.org

The Dragonfly Angel Society for Cancer Survivorship.
http://www.dragonflyangelsociety.com/

Menopause

North American Menopause Society
http://www.menopause.org

Chronic Pain

American Pain Foundation
http://www.painfoundation.org
The American Pain Foundation web site is an online resource for people with pain, their families, friends, caregivers and the general public. This site is devoted to patient information and advocacy, and provides many links to additional resources.

STRESS MANAGEMENT & RELAXATION RESOURCES

Ohio State’s Guided Imagery Audios & Stress Management Tools
http://www.osuhealthplan.com/online/guidedimagery/

Dartmouth’s Relaxation Downloads
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~healthed/relax/downloads.html
Web site with relaxation audio files for download to help with your relaxation.

University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center Guided Imagery Tools
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/support/guided_imagery_podcasts.shtml
An audio library with relaxation tapes for relaxation.  Some designed to help individuals with cancer.

Dr. Christopher Germer’s Mindful Self Compassion Relaxation Audios
http://www.mindfulselfcompassion.org/meditations_downloads.php
Web site with free downloadable files to promote relaxation and self nurturance.

Handling stressful thoughts.  Leaves on the stream exercise video.

 

Handling difficult emotions like anxiety and panic video.

                                                                                                                                    

MILITARY PERSONNEL, VETERANS, & THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS

American Psychological Association’s “Road to Resilience” guide focuses on ways to develop personal strategies for enhancing resilience.
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx

“Parenting for Service Members and Veterans,” a free web-based course that features six modules address parenting challenges that can arise during deployment, reintegration aand long after coming home.
http://militaryparenting.t2.health.mil/

Website providing information and support for Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/military-sexual-trauma-general.asp

Created by an MST survivor, this website discusses where to get support and information about reporting options for Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
http://militaryrapecrisiscenter.org/

Understanding PTSD for military personnel, veterans, and their loved ones.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/index.asp