The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) supports the wellbeing of our County residents and communities. News and updates about COVID-19 may trigger anxiety, panic, frustration and depression—even when your risk of getting sick is low. During an infectious disease outbreak, please take the time to care for your own physical and mental health, and please reach out to others in kindness and compassion.
LACDMH has published the following materials to address mental health & wellbeing needs and concerns:
- “Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks”, available in the following languages: English | العربية (Arabic) | հայերեն (Armenian)| អក្សរខ្មែរ (Khmer)| 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese)| 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese)| فارسى (Farsi) | 日本語 (Japanese)| 한국어 (Korean)| Русский (Russian)| Español (Spanish)| Tagalog | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- “Maintaining Health and Stability During COVID-19”, available in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Armenian
- “Staying Connected During Physical Distancing”, available in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Armenian
- “Alleviating Fear and Anxiety During Essential Trips in Public”, available in English. Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Armenian
- “Understanding the Mental Health and Emotional Aspects of COVID-19”, available in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Armenian
- “Coping with the Loss of a Loved One”, available in English | العربية (Arabic) | հայերեն (Armenian) | អក្សរខ្មែរ (Khmer) | 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese)| 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) | فارسى (Farsi) | 日本語 (Japanese)| 한국어 (Korean) | Русский (Russian) | Español (Spanish)| Tagalog | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- “Your Wellbeing on Your Terms” brochure, in English and Spanish, which highlights available apps to support self-care and wellbeing
LACDMH’s 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771 is available to provide mental health support, resources and referrals. (LACDMH facility updates are available here.)
Resources for Coping with Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Taking Care of Your Emotional Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Video: Managing Stress & Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak, World Health Organization
- Emotional Wellbeing During The COVID-19 Outbreak, National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- 7 science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety, The Conversation
- Long-Term Impact of COVID-19: Your Mental Health, Cedars-Sinai
Resources about COVID-19 Vaccine
- “COVID-19 Vaccine: Just the Facts” Video Series, L.A. County Department of Public Health
- Dealing with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy, Mental Health America
- How to Handle Coronavirus Vaccine Hesitancy, Psycom
- Vaccine Hesitancy in the Time of COVID-19, Mind the Brain Podcast
- Fighting The Spell: Fighting Myths About COVID-19 Vaccination, Psychiatric Times
Resources for Families, Parents and Children
- How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus, The New York Times
- Helping Children Code with Emergencies, Center for Disease Control and Protection
- 10 tips for talking to your kids about COVID-19 with your kids, PBS SoCal
- Helping Children Cope with Emergencies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Coping After a Disaster, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus, NPR
- How to Talk to Your Anxious Child or Teen About Coronavirus, Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Q&A: Masks or Face Coverings for Children During COVID-19, HealthyChildren.org
Resources for Physical Distancing
- How to Fight the Social Isolation of Coronavirus, AARP
- Community Connections in Times of Physical Separation, Each Mind Matters
- Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Working Remotely During COVID-19: Your Mental Health and Well-Being, American Psychiatric Association Foundation
- Strategies for Coping with Isolation and Loneliness During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Northwestern University
Resources for Healthcare Providers
- First Responder Resources, LACDMH
- Psychological Effects of Quarantine During COVID-19 – What Healthcare Providers Need to Know, The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
- For Providers and Community Leaders: Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel during Coronavirus and other Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
- Mental Health and Infectious Disease Outbreaks (Executive Summary and Literature Review), LACDMH
Resources for Workers
- Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Workers, California’s Labor Federation
- Worker Safety & Health During COVID-19 Pandemic: Rights & Resources, National Employment Law Protection
- Do’s & Don’t for Essential Workers, CDC
Resources for General Mental Health Management
- Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Taking Care of Your Emotional Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- PsychHub, PSYCH HUB CONNECT
- Disaster Distress Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Facilitating Mindfulness, UCLA Mindfulness Research Center
Resources for Community and Peer Support
- Peer Support Network, Project Return (PRPSN)
- California Peer-Run Warm Line, Mental Health Association of San Francisco
- Self-Help Support Groups, Share!
- Teens Helping Teens, Teen Line Online
- Support Services, Project Return Peer Support Network
Resources for Offering Support
- COVID-19: How You Can Help, County of Los Angeles
- Become an L.A. Works Partner & Find Volunteers, L.A. Works
- How to Partner with Los Angeles Regional Food Banks, LA Food Bank
- Survey – Organizations Providing Services During COVID-19, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
For General COVID-19 Information, Recommendations & Updates:
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus website
- Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 website
- Los Angeles County’s Roadmap to Recovery Presentation
- California Department of Public Health COVID-19 updates
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus updates
- World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus website
- LA County residents can also call 2-1-1 or visit 211 LA’s website
- County of Los Angeles Covid-19 Mapping of FOOD resources
- Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office COVID-19 Page
- Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles COVID-19 News and Resource Center
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation COVID-19 Information
- COVID-19 Response, Philanthropy CA
If you are feeling emotionally distressed or overwhelmed due to COVID-19 news & developments, please call our 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 for support.