Illinois DocAssist is here to support you during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coming days and weeks are uncharted territory for all of us, but together we can support the children and families of Illinois. Below are resources that may be helpful for use with your patients as mental health and wellness is greatly impacted by isolation, stress and uncertainty. Our team of child and adolescent psychiatrists and licensed clinical social workers are here to help you manage your patients. Please call us for consultation at 1-866-986-2778.
Agency and Company Links for Assistance
The Illinois chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has resources for primary care providers that answer questions salient to the pandemic.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control YouTube Page for video information about COVID-19. Video information is available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Illinois provides answers to questions related to mental health and the pandemic. To access information or find assistance, visit NAMI Illinois. NAMI provides webinars and virtual support groups for frontline workers, people with mental illness and family members of people with mental illness.
The Child Mind Institute has compiled resources to assist parents and children in managing issues related to the pandemic.
The Arc of Illinois has compiled information for children and families with disabilities and how to access assistance during the pandemic.
Illinois has created a COVID-19 Emergency Provider Search for essential workers that need assistance in finding childcare during the state at home order. Emergency services can be accessed either through the website or by calling 888-228-1146.
Feeding America has a tool that allows families to search for food banks in their area.
Comcast is offering free internet services for qualified low income households. Learn more here, the deadline for application is April 30, 2020.
Resources to Support Youth During the Summer
Camp Wonderopolis offers free virtual, summer programming for youth including topics such as math, science, art, engineering and technology.
Varsity Tours offers weeklong virtual summer camp options for youth ages 5 through 18. Camps are offered during June, July and August and there are free and fee options available.
Start with a Book offers guidance on engaging children in reading over the summer. There are suggestions and experiences for children age six and older.
Common Sense Media offers different options for virtual experiences.
Sew a Softie offers patters and instructions on how to teach children to hand sew.
Numerade offers free STEM learning experiences for youth over the summer.
Psych Central offers information for parents in navigating social distancing and virtual experiences for children during the summer.
Child Mind Institute created Summer and ADHD: A Survival Guide to assist in managing children with ADHD over the summer months.
Resources to Assist in Talking to Children About COVID-19 and Pandemics
The National Association of School Psychologists created a guide for parents on how to talk to children about COVID-19.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network developed a Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019.
SAMSHA developed Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks that can be accessed here.
Mindheart created a short book for children under seven regarding COVID-19. The book is available in multiple languages and free to download.
Parenting for Lifelong Health and the World Health Organization, with seven other agencies, has created parenting tips and activities for use during the pandemic. The resources can be downloaded and are available in several languages. The topics include providing children with one on one time, how to manage stress and addressing bad behavior.
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress provides guidance for families when facing the hospitalization of a family member or other loved one: When Family Members are Hospitalized Due to COVID-19.
The Children’s Psychological Health Center, Inc. created My Epidemic Story: A Guided Activity Workbook for United States Children, Families, Teachers and Caregivers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics parenting website, healthychildren.org, provides guidance on face mask usage for children.
The American Psychological Association has a book for children: A Kid’s Guide to Coronavirus.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America: How to Talk to Your Anxious Child or Teen About Coronavirus
National PTA: 6 Ways to help your child manage COVID-19 Anxiety
Resources for Children and Families at Home Learning
The Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Lagone Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry created School’s Out: A Parents’ Guide to Meeting the Challenge to assist families with providing structure and education during isolation.
Common Sense Media is a useful resource that can assist parents in identifying age appropriate online media for children and adolescents.
Wide Open School, through Common Sense Media, provides educators and parents with support during school closings due to the pandemic.
Scholastic Learn at Home offers daily activities and enrichment for children of all grade levels.
Clinicians with the Learning and Development Center at Child Mind Institute created Family Resources for Remote Learning. Resources are divided into age groups and assist parents in understanding the developmental stages of learning and offers appropriate readings and material for the associated age.
The Trauma Resource Institute provides a free webinars and the iChill app to assist professionals and parents in building and conceptualizing resiliency in an at home learning setting. Visit their website to learn more about the importance of resiliency in children during times of stress.
The Illinois State Board of Education produced Remote Learning Recommendations During COVID-19 Emergency. Beginning on page 16 of the guide book, there are recommendations that may assist parents with scheduling and structuring e-learning.
Children with ADHD may experience greater difficulty with e-learning and homeschooling. Learn ways to support children during the pandemic with the Child Mind Institute.
Parents can access a interactive map of the state of Illinois for free drive-up Wi-Fi for remote learning. The interactive map provides locations and log-in information for students and educators during the disruption of in person school attendance. The interactive map was a collaboration between the Illinois Office of Broadband, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Illinois Board of Education and the Illinois State Library. For questions or additional information you may contact broadband@illinois.gov.
The Character Lab is a nonprofit organization that promotes the social, emotional, academic and physical well being of children. The website provides parents and educators with science based information on building character in children.
The National Center for Families Learning offers free resources for parents to assist in literacy and educational challenges.
Support, Help and Crisis Assistance
Isolation, disruption of routine and social distancing increase the risk of stress, anxiety and depression in children and other family members. During this time, there is an increased risk of domestic violence, child abuse, suicidality and substance use. It is critical to assess for safety in each conversation with parents and their caregivers. Below are resources to help address different crisis situations. DocAssist consultants are also available to help providers problem solve individual patient needs and risk factors during a free consultation.
The SAMSHA Disaster Distress Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline is staffed by trained counselors who provide confidential crisis counseling. Call 800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish).
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Additional resources are available on their website for the deaf or hard of hearing, youth, loss survivors, attempt survivors, LGBTQ and resources in Spanish.
1-800-273-TALK (8255) or chat on their website
For Spanish: 1-888-628-9454 For Deaf or Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
The National Domestic Violence Helpline provides guidance on how to stay safe and access help during the COVID-19 pandemic. The confidential help line continues to be operational and can be accessed by calling 1-800-799-7233, TTY 1−800−787−3224 or text LOVEIS to 22522.
The SAMSHA Substance Abuse Helpline is available for patients and family members experiencing issues with substance abuse. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth under age 25. The Trevor Project has reported a significant increase in call volume since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn how the pandemic impacts the LGBTQ community, access Implications for COVID-19 for LGBTQ Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
Youth experiencing difficulties can call 866-488-7386 or text START 678678 .
Resources for Perinatal Women
The Centers for Disease Control has information available regarding COVID-19 and it’s impact on pregnancy, breastfeeding and infants.
MothertoBaby.org has information about COVID-19 in pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is also an information line available at 866-626-6847.
Cherishedmom.org is a resource that promotes awareness of perinatal mood disorders and the importance of self care. The website includes printed and video educational materials as well as support groups available.
Postpartum Support International has a free help line, provider directory and phone based support groups for women in the prenatal or postpartum period experiencing distress. They have added multiple weekly phone based support groups led by trained clinicians for pregnant women during the COVID-19 crisis.
1-800-944-4773 #1 En Espanol or #2 English
TEXT: English: 503-894-9453 / Español: 971-420-0294
Resources for Immigrants
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights created a guide to address the needs of the immigrant and refugee communities during the pandemic.
Resources for Providers
Headspace is providing free app services for any healthcare professional with a NPI number.
Shine and Mental Health America have created a website that assists in navigating the anxiety and stress associated with the pandemic. The website has evidence based articles about the virus as well as providing guidance about accessing services and answering questions about different topics such as wellness, finances and isolation.
The Happiness Lab podcast with Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos developed episodes on the coronavirus. Some topics include isolation, handling crisis, rising to the challenge and helping the helper. Find more information on the podcast here.
The American Psychological Association has information and resources available for healthcare professionals and the public. Resource categories include stress, anxiety, grief, financial worries and more. Visit the website for more information.
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress has developed a resource page for healthcare providers that addresses topics including supporting families of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19, notifying families of a death, sleep for healthcare workers and how to support patients during isolation.
The Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans in conjunction with Illinois HFS have provided guidance around the expansion of telehealth services in Illinois.
The American Psychiatric Association provides guidance on working remotely and maintain wellness for providers during the pandemic. Access information through Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health & Well-Being.
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association has developed information for nurses including support, managing stress and assisting patients during the pandemic.
Physical exercise relieves stress and anxiety. Several apps are providing free trial periods and subscription services for healthcare providers, educators and students during the pandemic.
Core Power Yoga is providing free yoga videos through YouTube and can be accessed here.
Down Dog has several different apps including yoga, barre, high-intensity interval training, prenatal yoga and seven minute full body workouts. Down Dog is offering a free trial membership for students, teachers and healthcare professionals through July 1, 2020. To access the free school membership, please register your school’s domain by visiting downdogapp.com/schools. Please visit downdogapp.com/healthcare to register your work healthcare domain.
