COVID-19 Resources

Families across our community are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the school year is upon us, it’s important to help children prepare and adapt to the “new normal” at school.

Click here to download our Family Toolkit and Back-to-School Decision Guide. 

Reliable local resources:
In addition to these resources, your local school district is also a good place to get updated information about returning to school.

• Akron Children’s Hospital- Talking to your kids about COVID-19 
• Akron Children’s video- Social, emotional &  behavioral considerations for return to School 

Tools to help families cope:  

• Tools from Ohio Department of Education 
• Videos, tips and information for families with school-aged children in NE Ohio 
• Helping children cope with changes  from COVID-19 
• CDC school decision making tool 
• Connecting for Kids– Back to school guide 

Local mental health and addiction treatment agencies in Cuyahoga County are open, providing in-person and telehealth appointments.

Mental health is health, don’t wait to reach out if you are feeling uneasy or in need of support.

• MetroHealth has a COVID-19 hotline is: 440-592-6843. This hotline can assist persons with questions, allow people to talk through symptoms they may be experiencing, and if necessary, connect them to a doctor for a telehealth or video consult to assess if direct care is needed
• If you are experiencing stress or anxiety: Call the Cuyahoga County’s 24-hour Warmline at 440-886-5950 to talk though things with a peer. Here are some OhioMHAS tips for managing Coronavirus-related stress.
• The Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Information Line is: 1.833.4.ASK.ODH (1.833.427.5634). The phone line is open 7 days a week.
• Crisis Text Line– Text 4HOPE to 741741 anytime, anywhere to receive emotional support from a crisis counselor
• NEW- COVID Care Line- 1-800-720-9616 Trained staff are prepared to simply talk, help with emotional management, screening, or connect you to resources if needed. Open between 8am-8pm, 7 days a week (answered by a national hotline overnight).
• National Disaster Distress Helpline – The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. 

• Alcoholics Anonymous – Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers online Skype meetings  to support recovery from alcohol.
• Narcotics Anonymous – Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offers support for those struggling with drug addiction and helps them maintain sobriety through virtual NA meetings and online information.
• Smart Recovery – Smart Recovery is a warm and caring online community where our participants interact and help one another recover from addictive behaviors. Features include: daily online meetings, message board, and 24/7 live chat.
• ma-online.org/
• 12stepforums.net/narcotics_anonymous.html
• al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/

• Centers for Disease Control and Injury Prevention Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19: Manage Anxiety & Stress by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event 
• National Center for PTSD – COVID Manage stress related to COVID-19.
• NAMI Greater Cleveland is now offering support groups on the phone! More info at namigreatercleveland.org
• NAMI Greater Cleveland’s Family-to-Family course is now online! Register online at NAMIGreaterCleveland.org or phone: 216-875-7776.
• NAMI Greater Cleveland’s Peer-to-Peer course is now online! Register online at NAMIGreaterCleveland.org or phone: 216-875-7776.
• Courage To Caregivers Support Groups: https://www.couragetocaregivers.org/services#details
• Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation’s media toolkit to promote mental health and safety during this period of uncertainty

The Wellness Society has tools for individuals and professionals to care for mental health and healing from trauma. They have a Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook with practical information for guiding emotions during the pandemic crisis.