The novel coronavirus has disrupted daily life in an unprecedented way. People are experiencing uncertainty, worry, high levels of stress and anxiety; all normal reactions to today’s abnormal current events. However, it is important that we maintain and support our mental health, that we acknowledge and talk openly about what we are feeling. With that in mind, it is important that we stay well informed. Knowledge is power. Below is a list of sources to help you stay up-to-date:
•  Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook – A Tool to Help You Build Resilience During Difficult Times  
•  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)   
•  World Health Organization (WHO)   
•  U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS.gov)  
•  California Department of Public Health   
•  RUHS Public Health Department   
•  County of Riverside Department of Human Resources   
•  Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME): COVID-19 Projections   
•  211 Community Connect – Riverside County Resource Directory   
•  Riverside County Network of Care - Find agencies, programs, or facilities near you 
•  More coming soon!

SUPPORT FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS:   
•  American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress – Supprt Groups (click here to view flyer)
•  Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook – A Tool to Help You Build Resilience During Difficult Times  
•  EAS – Virtual Support Groups for County of Riverside Employees
•  FREE STRESS MANAGEMENT ZOOM CLINICS – For Healthcare Professionals 
•  Resources for Emotional Support and Well-being – CDPH   
•  RUHS Behavioral Health – supporting our communities’ Healthcare Workers, First Responders, and Essential Staff during this crisis; call 951-955-7015, they are available 24/7 for support.
•  More coming soon!

The following are helpful links for dealing with family adjustments during these uncertain times:   
•  Nurtured Heart Approach - A parenting approach developed by Howard Glasser   
•  How to Cope with Sheltering in Place – SAMHSA  
•  Resources for Emotional Support and Well-being – CDPH   
•  Parenting with COVID-19   
•  Healthy Parenting - WHO  
•  How to Help Teens Shelter in Place   
•  Everything Free and Awesome to Do While Kids are Home   
•  Relax with Your Kids - STOP, BREATHE & THINK  
•  Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook – A Tool to Help You Build Resilience During Difficult Times  
•  Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety   
•  More resources coming soon!

Self-help/Self-improvement opportunities while staying safe at home:   
•  10 Awesome GIFS for Calm Breathing – DOYOU.COM  
•  Do Nothing for 2 Minutes – Calm.com  
•  Guide to Working from Home – Huffpost.com  
•  Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook – A Tool to Help You Build Resilience During Difficult Times  
•  EAS Support Group Handout    
•  Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event Article 
•  STOP, BREATHE & THINK  
•  More coming soon!
•  More coming soon!

Virtual entertainment to enjoy from the
comfort of your own home:   
•  Sparkle Stories - A wonderful story app for children ages 3-12   
•  SB Museum of Natural History – Virtual Tour  
•  Go Outside Without Leaving Home – Town & Country article with Virtual Tours  
•  GoNoodle – Movement, Meditation, and Calming Activies  
•  More resources coming soon!

 

EAS Autism is a lifelong condition. Adults and children will vary in their capabilities. As children grow, their symptoms and needs will continue to change. Some adults will be completely dependent on parents or caregivers. Others will be able to live an independent life and many will be somewhere in the middle. Below is a list of helpful resources and information:
• Autism Society Inland Empire
• Autism Speaks
• Coachella Valley Autism Society
• UCLA Center for Autism and Research and Treatment
 

A majority of us will be caregivers at some point in our lives. As loved ones age, debilitating disease, chronic health conditions or simple frailty can soon follow. We may even end up caring for someone permanently injured from an accident. While some employ paid providers, most rely on unpaid assistance from family and friends. Caregiving is hard and often stressful. If you are caring for someone with mental problems like Alzheimer's disease it can be especially difficult. Support groups and resources can help:
• (ARCH) National Respite Network and Resource Center
• Caring.com  
• Caring for Children 
• Caring from a Distance
• Family Caregiver Alliance
• Inland Caregiver Resource Center
• Riverside County Office on Aging
• Today's Caregiver 

Community resources start with organizations that focus on helping people. Organizations that provide support groups and outreach groups, but can also include public services such as libraries, community centers and churches. Private nonprofit organizations also provide a range of services to the community. Below is a list of resources available:
• 211 Community Connect - Riverside County
• 211 Community Connect - San Bernardino County
• Inland Regional Center
• Riverside Network of Care
• Riverside County Community Outreach

The County of Riverside encourages its employees to acquire new or advanced skills, knowledge, and viewpoints; by providing learning opportunities, training facilities, and partnering with various colleges to receive discounted tuition. Employee development not only enhances the individual, but also the organization. Below you'll find resources available:
• COR Learning Center  
• Employment Development Department   
• Riverside County Educational Support Program
• Riverside County Workforce Development Center

When you have healthy employees, your company reaps the benefits. A wellness program can increase productivity, boost morale and reduce stress. It can also help employees make smart and healthy choices that can reduce health care costs, increase vitality and diminish absenteeism. The County of Riverside encourages its employees (and family members when covered by employees' insurance) and county retirees to participate in what we have to offer to improve their health and overall well-being. Learn more at:
• Culture of Health

The County of Riverside offers a low cost preventive health insurance plan to its employees, their qualified dependents, and retirees. Exclusive Care offers coverage to members at a cost substantially lower than other health care providers. Savings are typically from 5% to 33%. Exclusive Care is not a commercial insurance company. Learn more at:
• Exclusive Care

Grief is a natural response to loss. It's the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief will be. You may associate grief with the death of a loved one, which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief, but any loss can cause grief. Below are resources that can help:
• Coping with Grief and Loss
• Grief Support for Siblings
• Types of Grief

Valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information:
• Coronarvirus: How Emotional Contagion Exacts a Toll – University of Pennsylvania/Wharton School
• Feeling Anxiety About Coronavirus? A Psychologist Offers Tips to Stay Clearheaded – UC San Francisco
• Our fear of coronavirus could be ‘far more contagious than the disease itself’ – ABC News
• Protect Yourself from Emotional Contagion – Psychology Today
• National Library of Medicine
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
• WebMD

These organizations provide support and general information on mental health as well as treatment, and available services for mental health issues:
• American Psychological Association
• HelpGuide.org
• MentalHelp.net
• National Alliance of Mental Illness - California
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Right Direction for Me - Dealing with Depression at Work
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1(800)273-TALK (8255)
• Riverside County Department of Mental Health
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Military life comes with challenges that sometimes require us to seek help for ourselves or our family members. Below is a list of helpful resources for active duty military personnel, veterans and the family members of these individuals:
• Healthfinder.gov
• National Military Family Association
• Riverside County Department of Veterans Services
• TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
• Wounded Warriors

Whether you're planning to buy your first home or dreaming of a life without credit card debt, good money management is essential to achieving your financial goals and achieving a debt-free lifestyle. Find helpful tips using the resources below:
• 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy
• Annual Credit Report
• Balance Track: Money Management
• Money Management International
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Good parenting includes keeping your child safe and healthy, setting limits, spending time with them; preparing and providing your children with the skills and resources needed to succeed as adults. A high-quality parent-child relationship is critical for healthy development. Parenting is hard work, but there are things you can do to maintain a good connection with your child and keep the lines of communication open. Find great tips and resources below:
• American Psychological Association
• Child Care Aware
• Child Welfare Information Gateway
• Kids Health
• National Parent Helpline
• NetSmartz Kids
• Talking with Teens

Being in the home stretch leading up to retirement can feel great! These retirement resources with advice, guides and tools to plan for a successful retirement can help:
• AARP
• CalPERS
• County of Riverside HR Benefits
• Nationwide
• VALIC

StartYourRecovery.org offers people who are dealing with substance use issues a single source of reputable, objective information about signs, symptoms, conditions, treatment options, and resources – presented in a user-friendly format and in language that’s easy to understand.
• StartYourRecovery.org  

Suicide is a serious public health problem that takes a huge toll on families, friends, co-workers, and communities, as well as on our military personnel and veterans. There are many resources available to assess, treat and intervene. If you are feeling suicidal or are concerned about someone, there is help available right now. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE. These are toll-free crisis, 24 hour hotlines. Your call is free and confidential.
(If emergency medical care is needed, don't wait, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately)

Additional resources and references available:

• American Foundation for Suicide Awareness
• HelpGuide.org
• Know The Signs
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1(800)273-TALK (8255)
• Suicide.org
• Suicide Prevention Awareness
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Stop A Suicide.org