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Published: May 6, 2020

COVID-19 - Self-Help and Recovery Support Resources

Social distancing can be especially challenging and stressful for people living with, or in recovery from, mental health and substance use disorders, as well as their friends and family members.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, (DHHR) Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) continues to develop coordinated prevention and response strategies for COVID-19. This information and West Virginia’s response to COVID-19 can be found on the state’s COVID-19 website, www.coronavirus.wv.gov.

The following resources provide ways to make connections as well as learn about and cope with COVID-19 related stress.  

Live Support

These are real-time (not recorded) support groups that may be led by peers or clinicians. Some can be accessed by telephone and others are “virtual,” available through the internet or a smartphone application. Virtual support groups often include the option to see and hear other individuals participating in the group by smartphone or computer. 

Telephone Support

  • HELP4WV - Call or text 844-HELP4WV (844-435-7498) or visit https://www.help4wv.com/. HELP4WV offers a 24/7 call, chat and text line that provides immediate help for any West Virginian struggling with an addiction or mental health issue.
  • Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group, offers its 24/7 Emotional-Support Help Line: 866-342-6892. Professionally trained mental health staff are available to provide support for fear or stress created by COVID-19. The service is free of charge and open to all PEIA members.  
  • West Virginia 211 - Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211. West Virginia 211 keeps an accurate and comprehensive database to help residents find health and human services for financial, domestic, health or disaster related needs. http://www.wv211.org/  

Phone Meetings

National Phone Lines

  • Connections App – a free smartphone app developed by Addiction Policy Forum and CHESS Health to help support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders: https://www.addictionpolicy.org/connections-app. With the Connections App individuals can: • Track their sobriety • Access e-therapy to learn new recovery skills • Connect with trained counselors and peers through messaging • Connect with clinical support 7 days a week, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. EST • Track treatment plans and set reminders • Journal daily • View videos, testimonials and more through the resource library                                     
  • Disaster Distress Hotline – provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this 24/7/365 hotline provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters (including infectious disease outbreak). Offers crisis counseling, information on recognizing distress, tips for healthy coping, and referrals for local care. For English speakers, call 1-800-846-8517 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. For Spanish speakers, call 1-800-985-5990 and press “2."
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24/7, confidential and free: 1-800-799-7233. Chat online at https://www.thehotline.org/help/. To find local licensed domestic violence programs, visit the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence website: http://wvcadv.org/.
  • National Parent Helpline - operated by Parents Anonymous, this helpline offers emotional support and advocacy for parents Monday-Friday, 1:00-10:00 p.m. EDT: 1-855-427-2736 and at http://www.nationalparenthelpline.org/
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline - 24/7, confidential and free: 800-656-HOPE (4673) and offers live chat at https://www.rainn.org/. Callers are routed to a local Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) affiliate organization based on the first six digits of their phone number. Cell phone callers have the option to enter the zip code of their current location to more accurately locate the nearest RAINN affiliate.
  • StrongHearts Native Helpline provides a culturally appropriate domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. EST: 1-844-762-8483.
  • 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 24/7: (800) 273-8255 or chat online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
  • National Teen Dating Violence Hotline - free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services available 24/7/365: 1-866-331-9474, via text to 'loveis' to 22522 or via chat at www.loveisrespect.org. Highly trained advocates offer support, information and advocacy to young people who have questions or concerns about dating relationships and provide information and support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, service providers and members of law enforcement.
  • Trans LifeLine is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. Peer support is available 10:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m. EST: 1-877-565-8860 or https://www.translifeline.org/.  
  • The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth: (866) 488-7386 or www.thetrevorproject.
  • Veteran’s Crisis Line is a U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) hotline to connect veterans who are in crisis (and their families/friends) with qualified, caring VA responders, most of which are veterans themselves. This is a confidential, toll-free hotline (800-273-8255, press 1) and can also be accessed through an online chat platform (https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/veterans-crisis-line.asp) or via text message (838255).

Virtual Meetings

https://www.wvdii.org/covid-resources

  • DHHR’s Office of Drug Control Policy - List of Free Online Meetings and Virtual Platforms

https://dhhr.wv.gov/office-of-drug-control-policy/Documents/online-meetings-and-virtual-platforms.pdf

12-Step Meetings

Tuesday: 5:30-7:00 pm https://zoom.us/j/210822932

Thursday: 5:30-7:00 pm https://zoom.us/j/238480178 

Phone Applications (Apps)

Use your iPhone (using the App Store) or Android Smartphone (using Google Play Store) to help your mind and body wellness for a healthier, happier life and get the most out of your day. 

  • AA Big Book Free (for Alcoholics Anonymous)
  • Breathe2Relax - Mindshift CBT
  • Calm 
  • Headspace 
  • PTSD Coach - Quarantine Chat
  • Shine
  • Sober Grid
  • Sober Recovery
  • Stop, Breathe, and Think
  • Woebot

Podcasts

Podcasts can be accessed through apps like Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Online searches for “recovery podcasts” or “mental health podcasts” can provide options. Example: Apple Podcasts: Addiction Unlimited; Battling Opioids; Recovery Rocks.

YouTube Channels

Search for recovery and/or mental health recovery videos to provide support and information during COVID-19.  Daily videos are available on YouTube. 

COVID-19 Condition-Specific Behavioral Health Resources

Domestic Violence Resources

Families with Children

Foundations and Charitable Organizations

  • Philanthropy WV:

Housing Resources

  • Legal Aid of West Virginia may be able to assist with cases such as landlord disputes and evictions, subsidized and public housing, mortgage foreclosures, hazardous conditions and utilities.

https://www.lawv.net/Resources/Self-Help-Library/Coronavirus

Information from Other Sources

https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf?lang=en-US

Internet and Phone Resources

Internet Access

  • Your Guide to Internet Service During New Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak:

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/internet-guide-during-coronavirus-outbreak

LGBTQ Resources

  • Alcoholics Anonymous Online LGBT Support Groups: 

http://aa-intergroup.org/directory_glbt.php

Long Term Care Resources  

  • The West Virginia Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN) and its partner agencies are a bridge to available resources to assist with questions about long-term care services and supports that may allow you or your loved one to remain at home and active in the community for as long as possible: 1-866-981-2372https://www.wvnavigate.org/SitePages/Home.aspx#/

Peer Support Summary (Digital)

OrganizationService AvailableAccessService area(s)
First Steps Recovery & Wellness CenterIndividual Telephone Peer Support   Group support meetings   Digital access to peer supporters via “Zoom Room” Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  staff members will be there for peer support, recovery coaching, and other topics.   Join Zoom Meeting from your computer or phone https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9998353229   Meeting ID: 999 835 3229     Telephone Peer Support available Monday through Friday 8:00am to 10:00pm:   Terry Collison 304-962-2281 Wes Alexander 681-378-2062 Tekoa Terry 304-962-2056 Cory Kirby 681-238-1485     Online Group meetings: From 11:30 to 12:30 each day Monday – SMART Recovery Tuesday – AA Meeting Wednesday – SMART Recovery Thursday – CoDA Friday – Celebrate Recovery Big Book Study  Greater Huntington Area
OrganizationService AvailableAccessService area(s)
PresteraIndividual Telephone Peer Support  304-525-7851 1-877-399-7776 Or contact on the web: https://www.prestera.org/contact-us/ Open Monday-Friday, 8am-4pmBoone, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Wayne
Berkeley County Recovery Resource CenterIndividual Telephone Peer Support for individuals with a substance use disorder    304-350-3080 Monday-Friday, 8am-6pmBerkeley County
Partnership for African American Churches (PAAC)Individual Telephone Peer Support     Digital access to peer supporters via “Zoom” Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.    Call 304-768-7688 and request a recovery coach Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.     Staff members will be available to connect electronically for peer support, recovery coaching, and other topics. Statewide
OrganizationService AvailableAccessService area(s)
Help4WV Call CenterIndividual Telephone Peer Support     Digital access to peer supporters in a secure video chat available 24/7Phone: 1-844-HELP4WV Text: 1-844-435-7498 Chat Online: https://m2.icarol.com/ConsumerRegistration.aspx?org=72331&pid=136&cc=en-US     Available 24/7  Statewide
SenecaIndividual Telephone Peer Support     Digital access to peer supporters in a secure video chat availableGreenbrier County: (304) 497-0500 Nicholas County: (304) 872- 2659 Pocahontas County: (304) 799-6865 Webster County: (304) 847-5425  Greenbrier Nicholas Pocahontas and Webster Counties  
OrganizationService AvailableAccessService area(s)
Ascension /WV PeersIndividual Telephone Peer Support     Digital access to peer supporters in a secure video chat availableAccessible Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm   Online video chat: doxy.me/peerrecoverymonco

by phone at 304.602.3305 - Monongalia County
304.602.3304 - Kanawha County
Monongalia County   Kanawha County
NAMI Greater WheelingDigital access to family member led support groups in a secure video chat availablehttps://namiwheeling.org/meetings-schedules/meetings-2/Statewide
NAMI Greater WheelingSupport group for Healthcare and Front Line Essential Workers            Monday, April 20 and 27; May 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 1:00pm   http://zoom.us/j/685633442 Call in Phone # 929 436 2866 Meeting ID 685 633 442     Tuesday, April 21 and 28; May 2, 12, 19, and 26 at 6:00pm   https://zoom.us/j/922159423 Call in Phone # 929 436 2866 Meeting ID 922 159 423Statewide

Self-Help and Self-Care Resources

  • DHHR Guidance on Stress and Coping:

https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Documents/COVID-19-Guidance-on-Stress-and-Coping.pdf

Trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Resources

Veteran Resources

Title VI Notice: Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. To find out more about our nondiscrimination obligations, to file a complaint, or to request this information in another language please contact us at (304)425-9541.
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