24-hour help

For the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 800‑273‑8255 or text 838255

For the Domestic Violence Hotline, 800‑799‑7233 or click Chat Now

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

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. While it’s important to take the pandemic seriously, it’s not good to be on high alert all the time. You may still feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated because of it. You’re not alone.

On this page:


Crisis hotlines

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 800‑273‑8255.

There are additional resources available if you are in crisis:

Youth and teens

Veterans

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 800‑273‑8255 and Press 1 or text 838255 for 24/7 support.

First responders and law enforcement

Older Californians 

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals

Services for substance use disorders

LGBTQ individuals


Behavioral and mental health services

If you have Medi-Cal, you can call the number on your membership card for mental health services. You can also call your local county mental health line. To find out what services are covered, call the Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman at 888‑452‑8609. They are available Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.

If you have a health plan through your employer or buy your own health insurance, you can call the number on your membership card. Your plan provider will help you find mental health services.

If you feel like you are coping with your stress by drinking or taking drugs, you can get help from county substance use programs. You can also call the national treatment locator at 800‑662‑HELP.

Older adults can find local services through the Department of Aging’s website, or by calling 800‑510‑2020.


Hotlines if you feel unsafe

Partner abuse is never okay. There are people standing by to help, especially during this health crisis. If you can, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 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 800‑VICTIMS line for information on victim services programs in California.

Visit the California Victims Compensation Board website to find information on county victim service providers in California.

There are additional resources available:


Hotlines to help others

Protecting children from abuse and 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 800‑4‑A‑CHILD to speak with a crisis counselor who can provide help in over 170 languages.

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

Family support

If you are concerned about a family in need of food or assistance, or you need resources yourself, you can:

Parents, caregivers, children, and youth up to the age of 25 can receive support at the California Parent & Youth Helpline. Call or text 855‑427‑2736 to speak to caring and trained counselors. Live chatting is also available on their website. You can also join a free online Evidence-Based Weekly Parents Anonymous® group. Find other resources to support your empowerment journey and strengthen your family on their website.

NAMI California has resources for family members supporting loved ones with mental health conditions. You can call their HelpLine at 800‑950‑NAMI to get information, resource referrals and support from 7:00am – 3:00pm or email info@namica.org.

Caregivers can find resources at the Department of Aging website. This includes guidelines to protect the health and safety of both you and your loved one from COVID-19.

County Adult Protective Services

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


Strategies for managing stress

  • 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, internet, or in-person when safe to do so.
  • 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.

More stress relief techniques are available in the Roadmap for Resilience and COVID-19 playbook available from the Office of the Surgeon General.