Strategies to Manage Stress in Our Shelters
The Covid 19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down and inside out. The resulting challenges and emotions can be overwhelming. This video and the resources presented below the video are intended to offer reliable help in a variety of situations ranging from boredom to thoughts of suicide. The most important thing to remember in all of this is to ASK FOR HELP!
The following video is a discussion with Maria Connolly, the organizer of St. Damian's Mental Health Awareness Support Group.
For an overview of the strategies discussed in this video, click this link.
The goal of this presentation is to provide support, resources and strategies for St. Damian’s community to appropriately and healthily manage our new life circumstances.
- Discuss the most common challenges that “shelter-in-place” has raised
- Recognize the signs of stress in ourselves and others.
- Review effective strategies for stress-management, self-care, and reducing isolation.
- Provide relevant tools and resources to assist us with temptations- alcohol, drugs, depression, abuse and domestic violence.
Statistics show that 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental health illness within their lifetime. And, our lives may already be impacted by someone we know who faces the reality of living with a mental health illness which can be complicated by addictions, abuse and violence. Many organizations across the U.S are helping to raise awareness about mental health during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 plague; many are shared below.
Reliable and Authentic Resources
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
Chicago Helpline: 833-626-4244
For more information about any mental health topic, please call NAMI Chicago’s free Helpline seven days a week.
For those in pain - Asking for help can be terrifying. It can sometimes seem even more frightening than continuing to live in pain. But this is the mountain we must overcome. The pain that you hold feels like an insurmountable barrier. But we will be there with you, every step of the way.
For those who worry for others - Be present. Listen. Make a connection or reconnect. Open your heart. Know that NAMI Chicago can guide you through the tough conversations and the path forward.
For those who can’t hold on - Your life is important. If you are in crisis, call 911 and ask for a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) police officer.
NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago www.namisouthsuburbsofchicago.org
Click here for NAMI Maintain Your Mind pdf
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK
Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7.
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The Upper Room Crisis Hotline- www.upperroomcrisishotline.org 1-888 808 8724
Sr. Mary Frances Seeley Executive Director-Based in Joliet/Crest Hill, Illinois area. Your call is 100% anonymous and trained volunteer staff. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, alive in the Upper Room, we bring comfort and hope to those facing spiritual need. Motivated by the mercy and compassion of Jesus. This hotline provides a non-judgmental listening and referral hotline to clergy, religious and laity in spiritual need.
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Findtreatment.gov Help is available, treatment works, and people recover every day. Opioid treatment programs in Illinois use LINK above and search “Opioid Treatment Programs”.
Phoenix Behavioral Services Inc. www.phoenixbehavioralservices.com
6547 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Get directions 708-926-2789
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247AAOnline Meeting Red Room http://www.247aaonline.com/
Our Helpline is OPEN. Our support groups are accessible online. We have resources to get you through this. Reach out. Chat and Group Meetings posted every hour on the hour.
Alcoholics Anonymous -This is the Fourth Edition of the Big Book, the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous.
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National Domestic Violence Hotline Staying Safe During COVID-19
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224
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National Sexual Assault Hotline – (800) 656-HOPE)
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Prevent Child Abuse America Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others If you need immediate assistance, call 911. State specific information, including toll-free numbers and websites, can be found via Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Illinois
Toll-Free: (800) 252-2873
Local (toll): (217) 524-2606
https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/safekids/reporting/Pages/index.aspx
Mandated reporters may use the online child abuse reporting system in non-emergency situations
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Catholic Charities- https://www.catholiccharities.net/ Help Those Who Need It Most- Thru Faith, Actions, & Results.
Catholic Charities Social Services - email [email protected], or call (312) 655-7700 in Chicago or (847) 782-4000 in Lake County and someone will assist you. Call volume is extremely high so email is recommended if you are unable to find what you need on the web site.
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The Kennedy Forum www.thekennedyforum.org
The Kennedy forum is working toward lasting change in the way mental health and substance use disorders are treated in our health care system. Many mental health and substance abuse resources can be found here, ranging from problematic technology use, supporting loved ones in recovery, caring for your pain, opioid abuse and more.
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Resources from St. Damian Church
Food Pantry Hotline (708)802-0484
St. Vincent dePaul Society Hotline (708)802-0484
St. Damian’s Living Grace Support Group
For individuals in recovery from brain disorders/mental illness– Call the Pastoral Center (708) 687-1370
St. Damian’s Mental Health Awareness Support Group
for family and friends of the loved one with Mental Illness – Call the Pastoral Center (708) 687-1370
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Accurate Sources of Covid 19 Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.gov
Illinois Department of Public Health - dph.illinois.gov