Crisis Assistance
Pennsylvania’s Support & Referral Helpline 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.
This helpline is staffed by skilled and compassionate staff who will be available 24/7 to assist Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions due to the COVID-19 emergency and refer them to community-based resources that can further help to meet individual needs.
Other helplines to call if you need assistance
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
- Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741
- Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- Get Help Now Hotline (for substance use disorders): 1-800-662-4357
- Pennsylvania Sexual Assault Helpline – 1-888-772-7227
- National Domestic Violence Helpline – 1-800-799-7233
Service Access and Management, Inc. provides Crisis Intervention for Berks County. Anyone in Berks County, residents or visitors, can call the contact information listed and talk to someone who can help. If you have been experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, or if you don't know what to do or who to turn to, SAM can help!
- Call (610) 236-0530 or Toll Free (877) 236-4600
- Text ruOK to 484-816-ruOK (7865)
- Chat online at www.txtaboutit.net/sam
General Mental Health
National Alliance on Mental Illness: COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Information on where to find information, mental health support and resources. This document is full of good information. Espanol.
Maintaining Your Emotional Wellness During COVID-19
Center for Disease Control: Stress and Coping
Emotional Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Staying Well: Activities to Assist with Self-Care
Children
Grover Talks to Kids About Coping with COVID-19 and Isolation
Kids have lots of questions about staying home right now. When can I go out to see my friends again? When will this be over? To answer them (and have a little fun), NPR's Life Kit reached out to Sesame Street's beloved monster, Grover, to speak directly to kids. Grover talks with Life Kit hosts Anya Kamenetz and Cory Turner about wearing a mask, missing his friends and why it's OK to be sad sometimes.
Activity Book and Coloring Pages to explain COVID-19 to children from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Collection of Free COVID-19 eBooks
Use these free e-books to talk to kids about the Coronavirus pandemic.
Comic - Explains COVID-19 in ways that kids will understand.
My Hero is You: How Kids Can Fight COVID-19!
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), a part of the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has created a picture book geared towards children ages 6-11 to help them understand and cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
Parents/Caregiver Guide to helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Talking to Children about COVID-19 / ¿Cómo hablar con los niIños acerca del COVID-19?
Social Story about COVID-19: Something Strange Happened in My City
Resources for Specific Populations
Aid in PA
A joint effort between ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training) and the statewide HCQUs (Health Care Quality Units), this site is designed to connect individuals with disabilities, families, professionals, and community members with resources that can best serve them in emergency situations.
ASERT - Social Distancing Social Story
ASERT - Coronavirus Health and Safety Guide
College Students and their Families
Q&A: Down Syndrome and COVID-19
Resources and Support Groups provided by The LGBT Center of Greater Reading