COVID-19 Mental Health Impacts: Resources for Psychiatrists
With COVID-19 evolving rapidly across the world, APA’s Committee on Psychiatric Dimensions of Disasters and the APA’s Council on International Psychiatry compiled the following list of resources for psychiatrists. The resources cover not only the physical impact of the coronavirus, but on its potential mental health and psychosocial issues and responses. The resources also include a section on telepsychiatry, to prepare for the possibility of isolation and/or quarantine.
For immediate assistance:
- Disaster Distress Helpline - Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Call 800-273-8255 or Chat with Lifeline
- Crisis TextLine - Text TALK to 741741
Resources for Providers
- Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, CSTS)
- Helping Patients Manage the Psychological Effects of Quarantine and Isolation (CSTS)
- Supporting Patients During Quarantine or Confinement (CSTS)
- Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19, (JAMA Insights: Clinical Update, March 11, 2020)
- Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 (APA) New guidance from CMS, updated 3/17/20
- Best Practices in Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health (.pdf) (APA and American Telemedicine Association)
Resources for Families
- Taking Care of Family Well-Being (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, NCTSN)
- Supporting Homebound Children During COVID-19 (CSTS)
- Supporting Your Family During Quarantine or Isolation: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation during an Infectious Disease Outbreak (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA)
Resources for Healthcare & Community Leaders
- Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak (National Center for PTSD)
- How Public Health Leaders Can Support Communities Dealing with Quarantine (CSTS)
- Health Risk and Crisis Communication to Enhance Community Wellness (CSTS)
Additional Resources
- The Lancet: Rapid Review, The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence
For general resources and guidance on coronavirus and prevention, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resources: