Gov. Wolf: Mental health resources available for pandemic stress, anxiety
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Resources are available for people having trouble coping or experiencing a mental health crisis spurred by the coronavirus pandemic and the isolation it has wrought.
Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday reiterated a list of resources available. The mitigation efforts to combat the coronavirus are necessary for public health, he said, but they bring stress, fear and uncertainty — financial and otherwise.
He touched on the expanded unemployment benefits and said his administration is working to streamline the unemployment compensation process as quickly as possible. He pointed to resources for individuals or families who cannot afford food or utilities.
“Many of our typical ways of dealing with anxiety have been eliminated,” he said, citing gym closures, disrupted sleep and eating patterns and forced isolation.
He said we will need to find new coping mechanisms where we can — a mid-day walk or a virtual happy hour with co-workers.
“Most of all, we need to reach out to one another and talk about our negative feelings,” Wolf said. “It helps to know you’re not the only one feeling isolated or exhausted. Let me be the first to tell you: You’re not.”
Food assistance
• To apply for SNAP and other assistance: compass.state.pa.us
• Feeding Pennsylvania: feedingpa.org
• Hunger-Free Pennsylvania: hungerfreepa.org
• A breakdown of food assistance by county: agriculture.pa.gov/foodforthought/Pages/Article.aspx?post=71
Utility assistance
• Public Utility Commission energy assistance programs: puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/electricity/energy_assistance_programs.aspx
• United Way utility assistance: uwp.org/211gethelp/
Mental health services
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or online resources
• Crisis text line: Text “PA” to 741-741
• VA military help line: 888-457-4838 or text “MIL1” to 839-863
• Disaster distress help line: 1-800-985-5990
• Crisis lines in each county dhs.pa.gov/Services/Mental-Health-In-PA/Documents/Suicide_Prevention_Hotlines.pdf