READ CALLER STORIES FROM PEOPLE WE ARE HELPING EACH DAY:

  • A family called 211 after their home burned. Fire fighters arrived and the family (4 adults, 3 children) made it out safely. The landlord had no fire insurance and was willing to let them sleep in the yard in a camping tent, promising to fix the house eventually. The mom called us asking for assistance. The adults have not been able to work due to COVID-19 and family was in need of blankets, some dishes and food, and concerned for one of the kids with asthma.
  • A caller who is disabled, female, mid 50’s lost her caregiver because of COVID-19. In need of help to get groceries, she tried Next Door volunteers. They kept some of her money and did not buy all her groceries. She is unable to use delivery as she is not physically able to bring in groceries. Feeling frustrated and scared, she called 211 for help.

    One of our friendly and helpful call specialists is seated at desk viewing computer screen and answering phone.

    Robert taking calls

Donate here to help those calling in crisis!

As the economic toll of #COVID19 hits our communities hard, hunger is a growing concern.

Easily find food banks, school meals, and senior center food distribution sites!

Fortunately, free and low-cost food providers are ramping up their service, in a way that maintains social distancing. We can help you find them! Use this map to find the nearest food support to you. Or call us at 211 (or text your zip code to 898211) and we will help you find the providers near you.

Image of grocery items like cereal and canned goods.

Find food support near you

To help with the stress, fear and anxiety that has overwhelmed many of us, we’ve created tip sheets for family discussion and parenting, as well as tips for colleagues and self care.

Discussion Questions for Families and Students

Tips for Parents of Teens

Tips for Parents of Young Children

Tips for Teens

Tips for Self Care

Tips for Colleagues

 

Please call or text us (Call 211 or text HOPE to 20121) if you or someone you love is struggling emotionally or needs to be connected to resources during this time.

 

So much has changed in the last several weeks, we had no idea that our worlds were going to be turned upside down by the coronavirus.

Or that the associated worry, isolation, loneliness, and anxiety would be something that everyone, across the country and around the world, would experience.

The isolation and uncertainty of COVID-19 is difficult for everyone, and especially those who may already be suffering from a mental health issue.

Please call or text us (Call 211 or text HOPE to 20121) if you or someone you love is struggling emotionally or needs to be connected to resources during this time.

If you have a workplace, group, club, school, etc., that is meeting virtually during the COVID19 crisis, please put them in touch with us (Scott) to schedule a mental health moment for your next Zoom, WebEx, call, etc.

Also, for coping with COVID19 situation, we’ve created tip sheets for family discussionparents of teensparents of young children, and teens.

Thankfully, there are many resources out there, but please feel free to use these as you see fit or share with others.

Stay healthy and safe!

To help during these challenging times, we presented as part of this webinar on teen stress. The webinar replay for Defusing Teen Stress: Navigating Tough Times and Finding Healing is now available to watch.

If needed, here are the resources mentioned in the talk. Please keep, or pass along to a friend or family member who could use the information.

Crisis and Suicide Hotlines:

    • In Contra Costa County:
      • Call 211
      • Or 1-800-833-2900
      • Text HOPE to 20121
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • National Crisis Text Line: send text to 741741
  • Get in touch with our panelists:
    • Graham Wiseman  (925) 209-6685 – graham@beingwellca.org
    • Scott Chavez ScottC@crisis-center.org
    • Melanie Wahlberg, CS (818) 300-1793 –  melaniewahlbergcs@gmail.com

This event was sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Pleasant Hill, CA, and First Church of Christ, Scientist, Orinda, CA

HAPPY NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK!

Give a virtual wave and say hello to our new cohort of volunteers and staff just completing their call center training! (partial group in photo-great smiles!)

They started their journey with the Crisis Center in January, and are starting in the call center just in time to experience the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place order. Wish them all the best!

We are so incredibly thankful for all of our call center team during this unprecedented situation! Some volunteers are working remotely, too, and we appreciate all the ways everyone on the team is adapting to keep providing services.

Happy National Volunteer Week to all volunteers!

Doing good comes in many forms, and we recognize and celebrate them all.

To join the team, check out this information on our website.

Here are some tips on dealing with Coronavirus anxiety. As communities nationwide respond to the COVID- 19 pandemic, Americans face unparalleled levels of uncertainty.  

To help individuals reestablish a sense of normalcy, Psychology.org partnered with three mental health experts. These experts share five ways individuals and families can manage corona virus-related anxiety. From monitoring social media consumption to establishing a routine, we hope these tips can help as we get through this pandemic.

Dealing With Coronavirus Anxiety: Expert Tips to Help Ease Anxiety
https://www.psychology.org/resources/expert-tips-coronavirus-anxiety.

If you, or someone you love, is struggling to cope, we are here for you 24/7.
You can talk or text with someone now.

 

 

John Muir Health has Safety, Food Distribution, and Health Care resource lists for needs during this #COVID19 outbreak. If you have questions about any of these, you can call us @211 or text HOPE to 20121 if you need assistance with safety, food, or health care.

SAFETY: Community Safety Resources Healthcare Resources During Covid-19 Community Food Resources Updated 4.12.2020

HEALTHCARE:  Healthcare Resources During Covid-19

FOOD: Community Food Resources Updated 4.12.2020

Staying up to date with current factual information can help ease any anxiety or stress about the situation. Text “coronavirus” or “covid19” to 211211 for information on how the illness spreads, prevention & treatment, symptoms and more. Texters may share their zip code to be directed toward websites with local information where available. If you are unable to text, call 211 or 800.833.2900

Contra Costa Health Services is updating a webpage with information here. This page is updated with new information as it becomes available.

We are updating this post as information is made available from Contra Costa Health Services. .Información en Español aquí.

The CDC is updating a robust site with information and answers to commonly asked questions here.

March 16, 2020

Today the Bay Area Health Directors will issue a Joint Order that will significantly impact all of the Bay Area. The Order will require:

  • ALL PERSONS TO SHELTER AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE OTHER THAN TO PROVIDE OR RECEIVE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
  • DIRECTING ALL BUSINESSES TO CEASE NON-EXEMPT OPERATIONS AT PHYSICAL LOCATIONS.
  • PROHIBITING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL GATHERINGS OF ANY NUMBER OF PERSONS.
  • ORDERING CESSATION OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

While the Order is mandatory, the expectation is that most people and business will comply to ensure the safety of everyone.

Keep in mind that the outcome desired is to “flatten the curve” of the virus so as not to overwhelm health care systems and facilities.

There are numerous Definitions and Exemptions to the Order to allow for “essential activities” for individuals and business to insure the health and safety of our communities.

Bay Area Health Departments are drafting FAQs to cover as many of the most immediate questions as possible, but we know that there will be many questions that we can’t answer initially.

The press conference will be carried live on Santa Clara County Public Health’s Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/sccpublichealth

The Order will be effective at midnight March 16, 2020, and remain in effect until April 7, 2020, but may be extended.

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

The virus spreading from Wuhan, China currently is known as a “novel coronavirus” meaning it is a strain of virus not previously seen in humans. This virus presents as an upper respiratory illness with symptoms similar to the common flu and is spreading person-to-person. The virus has caused death but cases have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness depending on a variety of factors that are not yet fully known.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Because of the similarity to flu symptoms, the CDC is recommending that people who have recently traveled or been in contact with someone who has recently traveled outside of the U.S. and starts experiencing these symptoms to contact a health professional for guidance.

What does CDC recommend people do to prevent spreading the virus?

The CDC recommends taking steps extreme precautions to prevent illness. Wash your hands regularly, avoid contact with people who have recently traveled outside of the country, and follow directions of local health departments.

Here are some handy resources from the CDC to share. Help everyone stay calm and healthy.

Call 211 if you have questions. We are here 24/7.

 

Volunteer Ideas

Click here for Volunteer Ideas

Bay Area Stay-at-Home Order

See Press Release: Bay Area Health Officers Issue Updated Stay-at-Home Order with New Restrictions to Last Through May 3, 2020. According to the release, more time and additional restrictions are needed to slow the spread and reduce future impact on local hospitals from COVID-19.

See Health Officer Order Through May 3 (PDF). Read the Summary of New Shelter Order for further clarification.