Taking care
of yourself
During Covid-19
Whether you’re casually using opioids, struggling with opioid addiction, or maintaining your recovery, stress can present challenges for all, including those around you. This means sheltering in place is a time to pay special attention to your thoughts and actions.
Everyone reacts differently to stressors, and serious mental or emotional distress can impact preexisting mental health or substance use disorders. Now, more than ever, it’s important to monitor and take care of the physical and emotional well-being of yourself and others.
This useful collection of information provides resources to help you deal with the unique pressures of the COVID-19 crisis. If you feel you need help, don’t wait to reach out. You’ll find a full list of hotlines and helplines below.
COVID-19 Resources
MN COVID-19 Information Hub
Be Ready MN
Updates from Minnesota’s Governor
Office of the Governor
Available State Programs and Services
MN DHS
How to Protect Yourself and What to Do If You’re Sick
CDC
U.S. COVID-19 Information Hub
HHS
Worldwide COVID-19 Information Hub
WHO
COVID Cares Support Services
Free mental health support for healthcare workers, first responders and essential employees.
Minnesota’s frontline workers are enduring increased levels of emotional trauma as a result of their service during the COVID-19 crisis. If you or someone you know is having trouble dealing with the burden and need help, there are free and anonymous resources available.
Visit www.fasttrackermn.org to reach an on-call volunteer. Available seven days a week, 9 A.M. to 9 P.M., through August 31st.
Text MN to 741741 or Text “Support” to 85511.
Call 651-288-0400 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Helpful Information
Find Your Happy Place
Learn More >
Tips to Reduce COVID-19 Stress
Minnesota Department of Health
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
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Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak
SAMHSA
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
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Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. Self-care during an emergency will help your long-term healing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Supporting Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful—it can be difficult to cope with fear and anxiety, changing daily routines, and a general sense of uncertainty. Although people respond to stressful situations in different ways, taking steps to care for yourself and your family can help you manage stress.
National Institute of Mental Health
Coping with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak
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It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Read these tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage stress during these times.
World Health Organization
Relapse Prevention
Virtual Recovery Resources
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This tip sheet describes resources that can be used to virtually support recovery from mental/substance use disorders . It also provides resources to help local recovery programs create virtual meetings.
SAMHSA
Hotlines and Helplines
Fast-Tracker
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Fast-Tracker is an excellent resource for finding treatment for opioid and other substance use disorders in Minnesota, allowing you to search by location or program service.
Find a Treatment Provider
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Use this tool to find your best option for a treatment provider near you, including services focused on cultural communities, women-centered programs and LGBTQ identifying individuals.
Crisis Text Line
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Crisis services are available 24/7 if you or someone you care about is having a mental health crisis.
Text MN to 741 741 for free, 24/7 support
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline
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SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Call 1-800-985-5990
SAMHSA’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Affected Others
8 Ways to Help a Person in Your Life with Opioid Use Disorder In Times of Crisis
01
Check-in regularly to connect and offer support
Source: SAMHSA
02
Remain resilient, loved ones can also experience emotional distress in recovery
Source: SAMHSA
03
Look for changes in behavior as indicators of general mental health
Source: CDC
04
Ensure they are maintaining regular care regimens such as therapy or medication
Source: CDC
05
Remind them that asking for and accepting help is a sign of strength
Source: CDC
06
Prepare an emergency plan should signs of severe distress or desire to hurt oneself occur
Source: CDC
07
Talk about things other than the virus to shift attention to positive news
Source: SAMHSA
08
Ask how your loved ones are feeling and talk about emotions they are experiencing
Source: SAMHSA
Helping a Loved One Guide
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You may suspect or discover your loved one is dealing with a mental illness, drinking too much, or using drugs. As a family member, you can play a central role in getting them the help they need.
SAMHSA
Recovery Support Guide
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Recovery-oriented care and recovery support systems help people with mental and substance use disorders manage their conditions successfully.
SAMHSA
Suicide Prevention: Help Someone Else
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If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you can be the difference in getting them the help they need.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Confidential Helpline for Affected Others
Learn More >
In this uncertain time, we know that you may be concerned about keeping your families and your communities safe and healthy. We are dedicated to ensuring you have the support you need to address substance use and addiction – from prevention to recovery
Center on Addiction
COVID-19 News Articles
COVID-19: Potential Implications for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
5 questions about mental health during the pandemic answered by an expert
The Coronavirus Pandemic Has Made The Opioid Epidemic Even Worse
People in addiction treatment are losing crucial support during coronavirus pandemic
Amid COVID-19, a new push for telehealth to treat opioid use disorder
Opioid Addiction Is ‘A Disease Of Isolation,’ So Pandemic Puts Recovery At Risk
‘The world is going to hell’: Coronavirus can be deadly for people recovering from addiction
How smoking, vaping and drug use might increase risks from Covid-19
Experts warn of mental health fallout from mass US unemployment
Federal Government Eases Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment During Pandemic
Third Party Resources
Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety
Headspace – Meditation App/Website
Addiction Policy Forum – Connections App to support individuals in recovery