Painted Brain, in this time of COVID-19, has had the honor to partner with CalHope, a California based program of peer support and crisis response, and FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in creating community-based support services. Under this partnership Painted Brain has built an incredible, diverse, creative workforce of peer counselors in Los Angeles County as well as in a couple of other counties throughout California. Painted Brain’s team provides online crisis and support counseling, in person group activities and arts experiences, and outreach and public education about the supportive services available through CalHope and FEMA. Below are some details about the project and a list of vital resources that might assist you or someone you know.
CalHOPE delivers crisis support for communities impacted by a national disaster. This is a Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and run by the California Department of Health Care Services.
Mission
CalHOPE builds community resiliency and helps people recover from disasters through free outreach, crisis counseling, and support services.
Services include:
- Individual and Group Crisis Counseling and Support
- Individual and Public Education
- Community Networking and Support
- Connection to Resources
- Media and Public Service Announcements
Values
Help – Give support in a caring and inclusive manner.
Outreach – Connect with people, communities, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Possibilities – Provide opportunity to recover and improve.
Empowerment – Strengthen communities with knowledge, tools, and resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
24/7 California Peer-Run Warm Line: 1-855-845-7415
Warmline.org contains the links to Peer run or staffed Warm Lines in every state
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
*NOTE: Many of these resources could utilize restrictive interventions, like active rescues (wellness or welfare checks) involving law enforcement or emergency services (with the exception of Trans Lifeline). You can ask if this is a possibility at any point in your conversation if this is a concern for you. You can also utilize these resources if you are concerned about someone in your life approaching a crisis.
Apps (from Veterans Affairs and or the National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
COVID COACH – the COVID Coach app was created for everyone, including Veterans and Service members, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The site provides information about the app, how to use the app and training material
https://mobile.va.gov/app/covid-coach#AppDescription
Pat Deegan and Associates:
COVID 19 Safety Plan:
Mental health recovery pioneer, Pat Deegan PHD, created a free worksheet to help develop a unique Coming Out of Quarantine Safety Plan. Visit this link to access a fillable worksheet in English or Spanish and a video tutorial on how to use it. For more information visit: COVID 19 Safety Plan
NOTE: It’s free but one must provide an email to access and can make their own decision about downloading and may opt out at any time)
NCAPPS COVID RESOURCES
The National Center on Advancing Person- Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) is an initiative from the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that helps States, Tribes, and Territories implement person-centered thinking, planning, and practice in line with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy.
NCAPPS has developed and pulled together a number of useful resources (templates videos etc)
UCLA basic resources:
UCLA site, Together for Wellness, https://calhope.semel.ucla.edu/.