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Resources for emotional support and well-being

Last updated April 27, 2020 at 3:00 PM

24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

1-800-273-8255 or text 838255

24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline:

1-800-799-7233 or click Chat Now

Call 911 if you or the person you are helping is in immediate danger.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is changing life for all of us. You may feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated in these circumstances.

You’re not alone.

There are strategies for managing stress such as:

  • Be mindful of your intake of information from news sources about the virus, and consider taking breaks from it.
  • Maintain social contact with supportive relationships like friends, family or others, by phone, text, or internet.
  • Treat your body kindly: eat healthy foods, avoid excessive alcohol, and exercise as you are able.
  • Call your health care provider if your anxiety interferes with your daily activities.
  • Learn about additional strategies to manage your stress for health.

Hotlines if you need to talk to someone 

If you are feeling overwhelmed with sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

There are additional resources available if you are in crisis:


Find behavioral and mental health services

If you have Medi-Cal and are in need of mental health services, call the number on your health plan membership card, or call your local county mental health line. For help finding what services are covered, call the Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman at 1-888-452-8609 Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.

If you have a health plan through your employer or purchase your own health insurance, and are in need of mental health services, call the number on your health plan membership card.

If you feel like you are coping with your stress by drinking or taking drugs, there is help available from the substance use disorder programs in your county or call the national treatment locator at 1-800-662-HELP.

Call the California’s Aging and Adult Information local service line at 1-800-510-2020 for help finding information and assistance in your area.

If you feel unsafe

Partner abuse is never okay and there are people standing by to help, especially during this health crisis. If you can, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or text LOVEIS to 22522 for 24/7 help in English or Spanish. If you can’t call, visit TheHotline.org to learn how to create a safety plan or get immediate help with the 24/7 “Chat Now” feature. 

Call or text the Victims of Crime Resource Center at 1-800-VICTIMS line for information on victim services programs in California.

There are additional resources available:

Helping others

Protecting children from abuse & neglect

Community members play an important role in protecting children from abuse and neglect. If you are worried about the health or safety of a child, call the local CPS hotline for the county where the child lives or find a local child abuse youth victim service provider.

You can call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-4-A-CHILD to speak with a professional crisis counselor who can provide assistance in over 170 languages.

You may also be able to help children and youth who have been abused or neglected by stepping up to serve as a foster caregiver.  Please contact your local county’s Social Service or Human Service department, or call the toll-free line at 1-800-KIDS-4-US.

Family Support

If you are concerned about a family in need of food or assistance, or you need resources yourself, call 211, contact your local non-profit Family Resource Center, or apply for public benefits, which may include health care, cash aid, and food and nutrition assistance, through your county’s Social Services or Health and Human Services department.

You can call the National Parent Helpline at 1-855-427-2736 Monday – Friday from 10:00am – 7pm to get emotional support from a trained Parent Advocate.

NAMI California has resources for family members supporting loved ones with mental health conditions. You can call their HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI to get information, resource referrals and support from 7am – 3pm or email info@namica.org.

County Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services: Call 1-833-401-0832 24/7 for concerns about adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Official California State Government Website

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