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#Coronavirus Helpline Services
hauntedselves · 2 years
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List of Australian queer community support services
This is straight from this article by the ABC, copied here.
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Please note: Services and operating hours may have changed due to coronavirus physical distancing measures. Please refer to each organisation's website for the most up-to-date information.
Urgent help (24/7 services)
Lifeline — 13 11 14
Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800
Emergency — 000
National
Qlife — Australia-wide anonymous and free LGBTI peer support for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527 or webchat at qlife.org.au (3pm-12am AEST).
Minus 18 — Resources help and guidance for Australia's LGBTIQ youth.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia — The national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on LGBTIQ+ people and communities.
Black Rainbow — Australia's leading Indigenous suicide prevention and mental health support source for LGBTQ+ people.
PFLAG Australia — Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Trans Pride Australia — Social and support group for trans and gender diverse people and their loved ones.
Transcend Australia — National peer support network and community for parents and carers supporting their trans, gender diverse and non-binary child in Australia.
Intersex Peer Support — An intersex peer support, information and advocacy group for people born with variations in sex characteristics.
Intersex Human Rights Australia — Support and education by and for people with intersex variation traits.
Headspace — Australia-wide online, phone and in-person support and counselling to young people, their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890 (9am-1am).
ReachOut — ReachOut.com helps under 25s with everyday questions through to tough times.
Beyond Blue — Beyond Blue works with the community to improve mental health and prevent suicide, so that all people in Australia can achieve their best possible mental health.1300 22 4636
Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council — a national body that advocates for the rights of multicultural and multifaith LGBTIQ individuals and communities.
BlaQ – Committed to empowering the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQ+ community across Australia through innovation, inclusion, understanding and advocacy.
The Pinnacle Foundation — Provides educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTIQ+ Australians to realise their full potential and overcome challenges arising from their identity.
Pride In Law — A national LGBTIQ+ Law Association aimed at connecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning (LGBTIQ+) members of the legal community and their allies.
State-based organisations
ACT
Meridian ACT — Face-to-face counselling and access to social groups in the ACT for people of diverse sexuality and gender.
A Gender Agenda — A Gender Agenda aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region.
NSW
Twenty10 — Specialised services for LGBTIQA+ young people aged 12-25 including housing, mental health, counselling and social support.
ACON — Health support for LGBTI people and people with HIV.
The Gender Centre Inc. — Provides information and support to trans and gender-diverse people in NSW.
TransHub — ACON's digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW, their loved ones, allies and health providers.
Muslim Peers Project — a collaborative Instagram page with creative and supportive contributions from queer Muslim artists and community members. It has helpful resources and anonymous online support for young people aged 14–35.
Sydney Bi+ Network — a volunteer-run, grassroots organisation dedicated to improving the well-being of bi+ people across Sydney.
NT
Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTHAC) — The main point of contact for people in the Northern Territory who have questions about sexuality or gender.
Queensland
Diverse Voices — Peer-to-peer telephone and internet counselling for LGBTQI people.
Queensland AIDS Council — The Queensland AIDS Council (QuAC) promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Queenslanders.
Open Doors Youth Service — A drop-in centre and support service for young people who identify as sex, gender or sexuality diverse.
QSpace — QSpace is a non-profit service specifically for LGBTIQAP+ young people.
South Australia
Bfriend — Phone, email and face-to-face support for LGBTQIA+ people.
SHINESA —Sexual health and clinical services for people who are intersex, gender diverse and of all sexualities. Plus counselling and peer support for people who are transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning.
Tasmania
Switchboard — Anonymous and free telephone counselling, information and referrals for the LGBTQIA+ communities of Victoria and Tasmania.
Working It Out — Tasmania's gender and sexuality support and education service provides free and confidential counselling, support groups, education programs and workplace training.
Victoria
Switchboard — Anonymous and free telephone counselling, information and referrals for the LGBTQIA+ communities of Victoria and Tasmania.
Zoe Belle Gender Centre (ZBGC) — An online service supporting the health and wellbeing of Victoria's sexuality and gender-diverse community, with information available to anyone in Australia.
Thorne Harbour Health — Offers a range of programs and services for people living with HIV and sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities.
Queerspace — An LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service with a focus on relationships, families, parenting and young people.
Rainbow Door — A free specialist helpline for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. The service is also connected to a multi-language interpreter support service, including Auslan interpreters.
Transgender Victoria — The leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy, training, and resource development in Victoria.
The Shed — A Melbourne based support group for trans masculine people, including AFAB people who are non-binary, and those who are questioning or exploring their gender.
Parents of Gender Diverse Children — Parents of Gender Diverse Children provides peer support to parents and those parenting trans and gender diverse children.
Pride Disability Services – Tailored and specialised disability support services for members of the LGBTQI+ and gender diverse communities and their allies in Victoria.
Queer Refugee and Asylum Seeker Peers (QRASP) — A peer-led social support group for LGBTQI+ refugees and people seeking asylum. Based in Melbourne with members across Victoria.
Monash Gender Clinic — Specialist public health service for the trans, gender diverse and non-binary community in Victoria.
Melbourne Bisexual Network — mental health and advocacy professionals working to improve and promote bisexual+ inclusivity in LGBTQIA+ programs and services.
Bi Alliance Victoria — a non-profit volunteer-run organisation dedicated to promoting the acceptance of bi+ people. It also runs monthly discussions and support groups.
Spectrum Intersections — a free Melbourne-based peer-led group for people 18 and over who identify as neurodiverse and are on the LGBTIQA+ spectrums.
Australian Gay and Lesbian Immigration Taskforce Victoria — The Gay and Lesbian Immigration Task Force (Vic) Inc (GLITF) provides support and assistance to gay and lesbian couples (the applicant or sponsor or both) who are seeking Permanent Residence status for the non-resident partner of an individual who is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
Western Australia
Living Proud — Provides support for LGBTI people in Western Australia, including the QLife national LGBTI telephone counselling and referral line.
The Freedom Centre — Provides safe social spaces, peer support, information and referral for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer and questioning young people under age 26.
WA Aids Council — Provides counselling, wellness, referral, general and financial assistance to people living with HIV.
TransFolk of WA — A support service for transgender people and their loved ones in Western Australia.
Bi+ Community Perth — A safe place for people who are not gay or straight to engage in respectful discussion, connect with people, and form community online.
Sexuality Education Counselling Consultancy Agency (SECCA) — A non-profit organisation designed to support people with disabilities, in their efforts to learn about human relationships, sexuality and sexual health.
DISCHARGED — Facilitates support groups for people with personal experience of suicidal thoughts or feelings, including a suicide peer support group for trans and gender diverse people.
Youth Pride Network — A group of LGBTIQA+ young people passionate about using systemic advocacy to create a Western Australia in which all LGBTIQA+ young people are fully included, accepted and celebrated by their community.
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ziqitzalimited · 2 years
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Ziqitza Limited - Still confused about Mask Here’s what you need to know
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The battle against COVID-19 is not over yet. There are cases of coronavirus still surging throughout the country. It becomes more than necessary that we quadruple our efforts to protect ourselves and others as well. In our previous battle against COVID-19 variants it has been proven that layers of protection offer best defence against coronavirus, and it must be noted that apart from vaccines and booster shots, masks play an absolutely crucial role in protecting us.
 Ziqitza Healthcare ltd, one of India’s leading emergency helpline and healthcare services provider states that it is general consensus that vaccinated and boosted people are better protected against severity, hospitalisations and death. However, even vaccinated people can act as carriers and spread highly contagious COVID-19 variants such as omicron, if infected. Masks can limit the spread in such cases, if people continue to follow mask guidelines.
 Are masks effective in curbing COVID-19 infections?
 Ziqitza Healthcare points out that there is multiple evidence that proves the efficacy of the masks. As per an experiment, around hundreds of droplets ranging between 20 to 500 micrometres are generated while speaking. However all these droplets were effectively stopped when the mouth was covered with a damp washcloth. An ever growing body of evidence supports the benefits of medical and nonmedical masks. Ziqitza remarks on the basis of this evidence that masks help catch and trap larger respiratory droplets and even the smaller particles known as aerosols.
 Ziqitza Rajasthan further explains that it is a known fact that COVID-19 is transmitted from one person to another via respiratory droplets which is produced when a person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Masks act as a simple barrier and effectively prevent these droplets from spreading in the air and infecting others. Therefore, ZHL Rajasthan advises that one should wear a mask not only to protect oneself but also others.
 Should Children Wear Masks?
 As per the World Health Organisation, children are least affected, but they are at the greatest risk because they are prone to a larger number of contact in school and in public areas. Ziqitza Limited points out that there are a number of studies that are being carried out to assess the risk of infection in children. The World Health Organisation recommends that children below the age of two year should not wear masks, since there is greater risk of suffocation in case of lack of supervision. The World Health organisation further recommends that children above the age of two must wear masks in community settings, if physical contact cannot be avoided.
 Ziqitza Limited Rajasthan suggests that as part of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, parents must teach their children that wearing a mask is also important along with handwashing and physical distancing, to protect everyone.
   If wearing a mask, physical distancing is not needed
 Ziqitza Health care limited remarks that wearing a mask is just one of the many steps that is required to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. Wearing a mask should be practised along with maintaining physical distance, washing hands regularly, avoiding crowded areas, staying indoors if sick etc.
  The concept behind wearing the mask is risk reduction and not absolute prevention. There are studies that suggest that 80% of the population wearing masks will be more beneficial than a strict lockdown. There is an old English proverb - Prevention is better than cure. Wearing mask is a preventive measure and like all other COVID-19 related preventive measure, it is absolutely imperative that we wear them, not because we’re asked to do so, but because it is our responsibility to keep each other’s safe.
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langhofflanghoff54 · 2 years
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5 Simple Statements About bus cusco puno Explained
Pro-Tip: You can purchase a bus ticket that features the entrance service fees to every one of the stops. Having said that, if you decide on to not, It's also feasible to purchase the entrance costs to just the web-sites you wish to see within the bus. Our driver gathered the expenses (income only) Initially of the journey. Sadly Several other firms will not be so vigilant and we've been worried about the environmental affect. We hope to guide by case in point, by giving fantastic company to you personally even though conserving and respecting our normal methods and other people. More details Practice or bus from Cusco to Puno? The ultimate way to get from Cusco to Puno is usually to bus which can take 7h 40m and prices $60. Alternatively, you are able to practice, which expenditures $275 and will take 10h 18m. The cost of the buffet was included in the cost of the bus tour together with sizzling beverages (tea and coffee). Juices and other chilly beverages have been billed added. Evening buses normally stay with the most crucial highway and they are So halting less and possess a shorter and a lot more predictable time program. What should I do if I've COVID-19 signs or symptoms when I get there in Puno? Make yourself recognised to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 113. cuanto tiempo hay de cusco a puno en bus , we stopped during the Colonial town of Checacupe. The town provides a church which we, regretably, didn’t have enough time to visit as we had been in line to cross the replica Inca bridge in town. We have been happy to possess witnessed this bridge as we didn’t have time to visit the Q’eswachaka Rope Bridge in Quehue, Peru. The aircraft can get you there in a third of the time. The closest airport to Puno is while in the close by metropolis of Juliaca. You will have to receive a one-hour taxi through the airport to Puno. Depending on how early you prefer to have into the airport, you can get from the middle of Cusco to Centre of Puno in two. Infants under eight months need Particular seats that needs to be requested during the reservation and ticket purchase method. These Specific seats have an additional Price and they are issue to availability and The principles and conditions of every bus Operator. For the reason that flight is so shorter it doesn't come with a meal and sure won't have complimentary drink company. Both the Cusco and Juliaca airports are smaller with limited food options. Web page: It refers, interchangeably, to the website or to the website , in addition to on the web pages contained within just explained Web site. Quechuas expeditions have Experienced multilingual guides (including the supervisor), regional guides Performing as tour assistants who also participate in the expeditions, Specialist cooks and very expert boat and bus drivers. For underage passengers, it is required to vacation using an identification document or passport. If bus de puno a cusco cruz del sur are traveling without the Operator in their dad and mom or perhaps a lawfully established guardian, a legalized authorization signed because of the dad and mom might be needed. The standard travel time among Puno and Cusco is all around 7h 30m, Even though the quickest bus will acquire about 6h 40m.Here is the time it takes to journey the 206 miles that separates the two metropolitan areas.
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dig-3m-b2c · 2 years
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The campaign’s ‘Get COVID clarity’ positioning was led by a need for a creative platform that would cut through the sheer amount of COVID information available. It focuses on providing clear answers to common health questions about COVID symptoms, isolation, and recovery, positioning the National Coronavirus Helpline and healthdirect.gov.au as trusted sources of COVID health information.
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iknockfashion · 3 years
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news24fresh · 4 years
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Coronavirus | Health Ministry issues new guidelines for hotels, malls
Coronavirus | Health Ministry issues new guidelines for hotels, malls
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Hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, religious places and offices in containment zones shall remain closed, except for medical and essential services, according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.
It said these establishments would be open only outside the containment zones and only asymptomatic staff members, guests and visitors…
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southeastasianists · 3 years
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In 2020 Singapore was hit by a series of coronavirus outbreaks, centred around dormitories where thousands of migrant workers live. Cases have dropped significantly, but most of the men are still not permitted to leave except to go to work. It is one of the longest periods of Covid confinement faced by anyone anywhere in the world.
"This is prison life. This is a captive's life."
Sharif came to Singapore in 2008. At the time, his wife was pregnant and the book stall he ran in Bangladesh was shut down.
Over the past 13 years he made a life for himself here, but since early 2020 all he has known are the four walls of his dormitory and the construction site where he works.
He and nearly 300,000 others are banned from mixing with the general public. Last week, Singapore's government said it would allow a handful of workers to go out in a "pilot scheme".
"I appreciate the experiment," he says. "But I can't express much joy at this news. Workers are only allowed to go to a certain place for a fixed time."
Sharif was not one of those selected for the scheme. Sitting on the back of the lorry that takes him to work, he often catches glimpses of the city and its people, who have never been subject to the same restrictions.
"When I see everybody outside, looking happy, it's very painful for me," he told the BBC on a video call.
"They are eating out, going shopping, meeting their friends. And I think, 'why is that not me? Did I make this coronavirus?'"
Most of his spare time he spends lying on the top bunk of his bed, either talking to his family or writing prose and poetry - both in English and Bengali.
He says night time is when things are most difficult. Men often wander the corridors or try to sleep outside on the ground.
"I lie in my bed and sleep won't come. How can I sleep? I need fresh light, I need fresh oxygen," he says.
'Are we animals?'
On the first day of the pilot scheme, the BBC was invited to Singapore's Little India neighbourhood.
Fifty workers were allowed to spend four hours out of their dormitories unsupervised.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) called it a "milestone".
At one of Singapore's main Hindu temples, two men were presented to journalists.
One of them, Packrisamy Muruganantham from India, told those assembled that he was "very happy to be out" and "very grateful to the Singapore government and to the MOM for taking care of us".
Since the start of the pandemic, Singapore has reported 58 deaths out of a population of 5.7 million.
The country's success in suppressing the virus has afforded Singaporeans long periods of freedom over the past year and a half.
But even when restrictions were at their toughest and the country was locked down, no healthy person in Singapore was ever banned from leaving their home.
Socially-distanced exercise, for example, was encouraged. But not for those in the dormitories.
"The communal living and working conditions of migrant workers in dorms put them at higher risk of infection and the formation of large clusters," Singapore's Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng said in February.
Dr Tan declined an interview with the BBC, but in a statement a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) spokesperson said the policy of keeping workers in their dormitories was "to protect the health of our migrant workers and to mitigate the risk of further transmission".
For Sharif, it feels more like he is being punished rather than protected.
"Everybody in the community is allowed out. All these people are expected to follow the social distancing rules, but they think we cannot do this also," he says.
"When I see a law only for migrant workers I think, 'Are we not human? Or are we animals? Do we not understand anything? Are we so uneducated?'"
A wake-up call
The men in the dormitories - mostly from South Asian countries - do vital manual work here.
They build the country's roads, bridges and apartments. In return, they are able to send back good money to their families.
Tasrif - also from Bangladesh - arrived in 2017. He is 25, earns less than $750 (S$1000; £400) a month and maintains air conditioning units.
He spent around $7,500 in agency fees to come to Singapore.
"We are working tirelessly for the country," he says. "We're making everything, we're doing everything for you guys."
"We are human beings just like you, like everyone in the community. We want our dignity back."
But life in the dormitory typically means sharing a room with up to 30 people and dividing your bathroom, cooking and recreational space with hundreds more.
These conditions led to major Covid-19 outbreaks in dormitories back in March 2020. Big clusters meant Singapore went from being almost untouched by the virus to announcing an island-wide shutdown for two months.
It prompted Tommy Koh, a former Singaporean ambassador to the UN, to rebuke the government recently.
"We should use this as a wake up call," said Mr Koh. "To treat our indispensable foreign workers like a first world country should and not in the disgraceful way in which they are treated now."
But Singapore's government has always been open about separating dormitory residents from everyone else in the country.
They hold a different visa, work under different labour laws and the authorities do not pretend that these men have the same rights as other foreigners who do the white collar jobs in the city.
Even official daily case numbers for Covid-19 are split into three categories: "Imported", "Dormitory residents" and "Community".
"Community" means everyone, apart from those living in a dormitory.
The figures are stark. As of 16 September, migrant workers accounted for 74% of all recorded cases. For context, the workers make up just 5% of Singapore's total population.
Last year several media outlets reported on a spate of suicides and attempted suicides in the dormitories.
When asked by the BBC about the current situation, the MOM declined to provide any details.
Instead, they said they were "always mindful and conscious of the need to better support the mental wellbeing of our migrant workers" and that they offer counselling services and a helpline for those who need it.
Professor Jeremy Lim, director of global health at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, says denying workers their freedom has few public health benefits at the moment.
"I would say that the Covid-19 concerns are massively overblown.
"They are vaccinated, they are familiar with safe distancing, they wear masks. So what more can we do?
"Speaking as a public health professional, we have to recognise there are limits. Right now is the time to focus on these workers' mental health because they are really, really struggling at the moment."
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sarkywoman · 3 years
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Hey everyone. In the wake of the Sarah Everard tragedy in the UK I just want to share some resources that cropped up at the end of a government survey on violence against women, in case they’re needed. Although the survey was specifically about crimes against women, as it touched on domestic violence there are also charities listed here to support male victims of DV.
I know a lot of people are feeling more anxious and upset than before. Please seek help if you need to.
#shewaswalkinghome
Beyond the Streets Beyond the Streets provides a confidential call back service for women who are involved in prostitution and want to explore possible alternatives. Telephone: 0800 133 7870 (call back service) Email: [email protected] Galop Galop runs a specialist helpline for LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence. Telephone: 0800 999 5428 (Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Wednesday-Thursday 10am-8pm) Email: [email protected] Karma Nirvana Karma Nirvana support victims of so called 'honour-based' abuse and forced marriage. They operate a national helpline to support victims and professionals. Telephone: 0800 599 9247 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) Email: [email protected] Male Survivors Alliance [I struggled to find a national website for them] The Male Survivors Alliance provides help and information to male victims/survivors or sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation. The National Male Survivors helpline is 0808 800 5005. The helpline is available Mon-Weds 9am-5pm, Thurs 8am-8pm, Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm.There is also a text service and online chat function available via Safeline here- https://www.safeline.org.uk/contact-us/ ManKind Initiative [https://www.mankind.org.uk/] Mankind offer support to male victims of domestic abuse. Their helpline provides both emotional support and practical information. Telephone: 01823 334 244 (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm). NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) NAPAC offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. They offer a range of resources for survivors, as well as those who care for and work with them. Telephone: 0808 801 0331 (Monday-Thursday 10am-9pm and Friday 10am–6pm) Email: [email protected] National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) Refuge's National Domestic Abuse Helpline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day to victims of domestic abuse and those who are worried about friends or loved ones. Telephone: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours a day) Email (via website): https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us NSPCC / Childline The NSPCC helpline is staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support. If you are concerned about a child, if you're a parent or carer looking for advice, or if you're a professional in need of information and guidance. Whatever your worry – call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, email, or submit the online form . They also have advice about spotting the signs of abuse. You can call Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm or 9am – 6pm at the weekends. It's free and you don't have to say who you are. Website- https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help. Counsellors are available to talk to by calling 0800 1111 or via 121 chat between 7.30am and 3.30am every day. Website- https://www.childline.org.uk/ Rape Crisis England and Wales Rape Crisis Centres provide specialist support and services to women and girls who have experienced sexual violence. The Rape Crisis National Helpline offers free, confidential emotional support and information. Telephone: 0808 802 9999 (every day between 12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm) Rape Crisis Live Chat: Live Chat is a free, text-based support service. For more information please go to https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/ Respect Respect is a domestic abuse organisation which runs a confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families, as well as a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them. Respect Phoneline: Telephone: 0808 802 4040 (Monday-Friday 9am-8pm) Email: [email protected] Men's Advice Line: Telephone: 0808 8010 327 (Monday-Friday 9am-8pm) Email: [email protected] Revenge Porn Helpline The helpline is a UK service supporting adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as, revenge porn. Due to concerns around the Coronavirus outbreak, the Helpline will be operating an email only service for the time being, therefore voicemail messages may not be responded to immediately. Please contact by email on [email protected] open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Safeline Safeline's National Male Survivor Helpline is a dedicated service for men and boys in England and Wales affected by rape or sexual abuse and those that support them such as friends and family. Telephone: 0808 800 5005 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 8am-8pm and Saturday 10am-2pm) Email (via website): https://www.safeline.org.uk/contact-us/ Southall Black Sisters Southall Black Sisters specialise in domestic and gender related violence, including forced marriage and 'honour-based' abuse. They provide specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy, counselling and self-help support services in several languages. Telephone: 0208 571 9595 (Monday to Friday from 9-5pm) Email (via website): https://southallblacksisters.org.uk/contact-us/ Stay Safe East Stay Safe East provides specialist and holistic advocacy and support services to disabled people who are victims and survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Telephone: 0208 519 7241 Email: [email protected] National Male Support Service - SurvivorsUK SurvivorsUK support men, boys, trans and nonbinary survivors of sexual violence. They offer one to one counselling, ISVA services, and an online helpline. Website: www.survivorsuk.org (Monday-Sunday 12pm-8pm) Email: [email protected] Suzy Lamplugh Trust Suzy Lamplugh Trust run the National Stalking Helpline, which gives practical information, support, and advice to victims of stalking, their friends, family, and professionals working with victims. Telephone: 0808 802 0300 (9:30am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 1pm-4pm Wednesday) Email (via website): https://www.suzylamplugh.org/forms/national-stalking-helpline-enquiry-form The Survivors Trust The Survivors Trust provides confidential information, advice and support for people who have experienced rape and sexual violence. Telephone: 0808 801 0818 (Monday-Friday: 10am-8:30pm, Saturday from 10am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm and 6pm-8:30pm and Sunday from 1:30pm-4:30pm and 6pm-8:30pm) Email: [email protected] www.thesurvivorstrust.org Women's Aid Women's Aid provides support for women who are experiencing or have experienced physical, mental, sexual or domestic violence or abuse. Live Web Chat: https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/ (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-12pm) Email: [email protected] Bawso (Wales) Bawso is an all Wales voluntary organisation providing specialist services to black and minority ethnic (BME) women and children made homeless through domestic abuse. Bawso’s work extends to providing support to BME women confronted with forced marriage, FGM and so called ‘honour-based’ abuse. Telephone: 0800 7318147 (24hr) Email: [email protected] Dyn Wales Helpline The Safer Wales Dyn Helpline provides free confidential support to men who experience domestic abuse in Wales. Telephone: 0808 801 0321 (Monday and Tuesday 10-4pm, Wednesday 10-1pm) Email: [email protected]
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salmankhanholics · 3 years
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★ Salman Khan donates food kits to COVID-19 warriors between Worli and Juhu!
22 April,2021
In the early months of the lockdown last year, Salman Khan’s food trucks were a common sight on Mumbai roads as they distributed food kits among the underprivileged. Almost a year on, as the country reels under the second wave of the Coronavirus, the superstar has revived the initiative. This time around, the Being Hangryy trucks are distributing meals among the frontline workers.  Yuva Sena leader Rahul Kanal, who is coordinating the endeavour with the actor, says that the superstar sprang into action as soon as the state government imposed a junta curfew from April 15. “Salman expressed his concern for the police officers, BMC staff and health workers on duty. Given their long work hours, he wondered how they would procure essentials since most shops are shut and the grocery stores are functioning in the stipulated four-hour window. Within 24 hours of our conversation, our food trucks hit the road,” says Kanal.  Over the past two days, three food trucks have distributed food packets to COVID-19 warriors between Worli and Juhu. A three-week plan has been charted out, with the idea of extending their service to other pockets of Mumbai. Kanal adds, “Our kits include tea, mineral water, a pack of biscuits, and snacks that include upma or poha or vada pav or pav bhaji. We have also started a helpline number on which the frontline workers can call, and we’ll travel to their area to serve them. It is Salman’s way of thanking them for their sustained efforts. This will go on till May 15.”
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Mental health 'missing' from Covid response
By Richard Carlton-Crabtree
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One month from now, a year that most people simply want to see the back of, will actually be over.  What measure of relief that brings, and how quickly the upcoming Covid-19 vaccine rollout is mobilised to deliver it, remains to be seen.
In recent weeks officials have begun tentatively pointing to the spring as a timeframe by when something like the ‘old normal’ might resume, Easter as a target date by which a good chunk of the most vulnerable, along with our NHS frontline workers, could be inoculated - meeting the first condition for reopening society without unacceptable risks to life.
This prize shines uppermost, but even if achieved on schedule its comforts and easements still lie on the other side of what will surely be a gruelling winter ahead; more long months lived in the shadow of the virus, and navigated under some further combination of national and locally tiered lockdowns.
Lockdown has been the primary policy response to Covid and almost inevitably so. Before vaccination became an option, what else was there?
Since the pandemic broke, governments the world over have been compelled to implement them in one form or another. The simple logic, of course, is to reduce transmission by reducing contact, and while it is possible to argue that the execution has been ham fisted and insufficiently refined, it is hard to claim that the whole lockdown policy per se has been entirely unnecessary or wantonly egregious, not when all alternatives involve risk to life on a cruel and unusual scale.
But if lockdown has been necessary, it has still been a necessary evil; an extreme measure for extreme times, a major deprivation of freedoms and one that inevitably incurs punishing collateral damage.
For this reason, when a lockdown is mandated, national, local, or even of a single individual couched under the auspices of Test and Trace, the policy carries serious obligations. For one, and because lockdowns constrain enterprise and earnings, they imply an obligation to provide concurrent financial support.
While keen to point out that they can’t rescue everyone, the government has sought to meet this obligation via the Job Retention (furlough) Scheme and other substantial provisions.
By the same logic, and because of clear evidence that lockdowns adversely affect mental health too, they also imply a corollary obligation to invest more in psychological support than in fair-weather times.
But it is in the mental health arena that far, far less has so far been done to ameliorate the pain.
Humans are social animals, and when forced apart from friends and family and into isolation, against the grain of our nature, the social way of life vital to sustaining our mental equilibrium is sacrificed.
The impacts are particularly acute for those living alone, or in a household scarred by the domestic abuse that can mean the inside of a bubble is sometimes more dangerous than the outside, but everyone’s ability to pursue the lifestyles needed to optimise wellbeing has been constrained to some extent.
And the longer lockdowns endure, the greater the cost to our mental health, this is an indivisible consequence of the lockdown policy just like the economic impacts.
To date, pandemic response measures in the mental health sphere have included October’s announcement of £15 million in extra funding to improve rapid access to psychological support for NHS staff, and a £5 million Coronavirus Mental Health Support Fund for charitable, community projects established back in April.
These provisions are positive but piecemeal. Urgently needed now is a more comprehensive, overarching response, with a scope that transcends existing provisions to improve rapid access to mental health support for all sections of the community.
A ‘National Covid Mental Health Response Strategy’ to help with the depression, isolation, loneliness, bereavement and anxieties about health and finances that have accompanied the pandemic.
People are suffering and opportunities to alleviate that suffering are available; taking them is a moral obligation. Particularly as the local measures now superseding the national lockdown have left the vast majority of people in the top two tiers; still under heavy restrictions.
Many have been complaining for some time already that the cure is worse than the disease because for many - it is. If we must have further lockdowns then we must, but we must have the proper mitigations too.
A mental health response strategy would be a giant leap forwards towards delivering this. It would require a funding boost for our hard pressed NHS psychotherapy services so that they are equipped to operate on the greater scale suited to times of exceptional need.
Currently, NHS ‘IAPT’ services typically have capacity to open only in working hours, when people really need them on weekends too, and around the clock.
For those seeking support out of hours the GOV.UK website presently suggests the Samaritans, an organisation doing valuable work, but one whose volunteers should be augmenting national capacity in a time of crisis, not relied upon as the mainstay of it.
There is no equivalent national, NHS mental health helpline, but when people are suffering as they are now, there clearly should be. Plugging this gap would help ease the problem of Accident and Emergency departments being forced into acting as a backstop for people whose needs are really psychological, but who have nowhere else to turn.
It would create somewhere for workers in NHS Test and Trace or benefits services to direct the many they encounter whose situations are harming their mental health. And, as an NHS provision, a national helpline could directly facilitate onward referrals into the longer term NHS therapy services, their capacity likewise amplified under the response strategy, when needed.
All this would take money of course, but thankfully the financial arguments for a mental health response strategy stack up just as well as the moral ones. The costs would be tiny next to other Covid provisions, and utterly trivial in comparison with those of abandoning people to spiralling mental ill health, heightened risk of addictions, homelessness, problems worsening to the point of long term dependency on benefits, or otherwise suffering in ways that ultimately impact the Exchequer.
Indeed, perhaps the strongest argument of all in favour of a mental health response strategy derives from the need to buttress the national psyche for the post-Covid bounce back. The economy is on life support, with a furlough scheme in continuous operation since the start of the pandemic, whole industries underwritten, and thousands of businesses reliant on subsidy to survive.
This financial pain will not dissolve into joy and relief instantly once a vaccine is deployed; somewhere down the line the tap will have to be shut off, and the debt paid for. Many hero key workers and others in food supply chains and vital industries elsewhere have braved the virus throughout of course, but millions more have been consigned to home working, furlough and unemployment.
Many have become resigned to it, are feeling beaten down by it, and are struggling to hold onto hope. For them, the transition back to the ‘old normal’ may not come easily, and if we are to galvanise our economy tomorrow, we should not neglect their mental health today.
A national mental health response strategy could help prime the coming reorientation from the context of pandemic and lockdown; fortifying those who have suffered through isolation to emerge with vitality to resume the active lifestyles essential to our economy when the time comes.
Achieving this turnaround and finding the positive mentality needed to precipitate a widespread return to the work and social arenas will be critical.
It is the coming frontier in the battle against the pandemic, and the time to be raising our gaze to it is now. That way, when we look back on the age of Covid with broader perspective from the future, we give ourselves the best chance that the coming years won’t end up condemned alongside 2020 - a whole decade we would all just like to forget.
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itsvolunteer · 3 years
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Symptoms of Coronavirus
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are
Fever
Dry cough
Fatigue
Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:
Loss of taste or smell,
Nasal congestion,
Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)
Sore throat,
Headache,
Muscle or joint pain,
Different types of skin rash,
Nausea or vomiting,
Diarrhea,
Chills or dizziness.
Some of them have mild symptoms and others don’t show any symptoms.
Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:
Shortness of breathe
Loss of appetite,
Confusion,
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,
High temperature (above 38 °C).
Other less common symptoms are:
Irritability,
Confusion,
Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures),
Anxiety,
Depression,
Sleep disorders,
More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium, and nerve damage.
If people have mild symptoms then it’s always advised to go for a test as a precautionary cure. One can get a molecular test to detect SARS-Cov-2 and say that the person has COVID-19. PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) is the most commonly used molecular test that is collected from the throat or nose with a swab. This test is the best way to detect the virus and confirm an active infection in a person’s body. Some of them opt for a rapid diagnostic test - RDT that detects viral proteins in the human body. This test is collected from the nose or throat of the person and the results are quick but not accurate.
How long it takes for the symptoms of Coronavirus to develop?
When a person gets exposed to COVID-19 from that time onwards the symptoms begin on average of 5-6 days and can range from 1-14 days. So, most people are unaware of the fact that they are affected. Once the COVID symptoms are seen one has to isolate themselves from others to avoid the spread of the virus, especially where the testing facility is not easily available.
What to do if one has COVID-19 Symptoms?
If a person shows any signs of COVID-19, then immediately contact the Vizag Volunteers helpline center who can guide you about when and where to get a test. It’s recommended to monitor your health and stay at home, self-isolated.
Some people who suffer from asthma, breathing problem, heart problem, diabetes need to seek medical attention. Vizag Volunteers are here to direct you the right way regarding health facilities. If you need to visit the health center for testing, wear a proper face mask, face shield, and gloves while traveling to and from medical care. Maintain a safe distance of 1-meter from others and moreover try not to touch surfaces with your hands. Once you are back from testing wash your hands otherwise take a bath.
Many of them have questions about the treatments given to COVID-19 patients. Scientists all around the world are trying their best to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. Optimal support is given to patients whose oxygen levels are low, more advanced respiratory support such as ventilation is provided to patients who are facing critical issues.
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Dexamethasone is a Corticosteroid that helps reduce the length of time on a ventilator. This helps to save people who are facing severe and critical illness. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, like antibiotics as a cure for COVID-19. WHO is taking every proper step in developing treatments for COVId-19 and it will continue to do it until it finds a permanent solution. The progress information of the vaccine will be updated as and when new progress is seen in the trials.
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Vizag Volunteers help people in the right way to understand what a person needs to do when he is affected by COVID-19. Vizag Volunteers is a group of people who are here to help the people who are in need of blood, plasma, or any COVID health-related problems. They are providing many COVID-19 service activities to the people in and around Vizag. To know more about the services go through the website and if you need any help you can contact them through the helpline number provided.
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is6621 · 3 years
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The concerns of remote psychotherapy during the pandemic / Karen Wang
Virtually everyone has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Many industries were hard-hit leaving individuals previously working in those sectors to face unfortunate financial and personal circumstances. Even those who did not suffer financially were still burdened by the political, economic, and social changes associated with the pandemic. Persisting stressors associated with Covid-19 including self-quarantine, social distancing, unemployment, and threat of illness, have had a significant impact on the human psyche. People who otherwise did not have underlying psychological issues before the viral pandemic have begun seeking therapy to adapt to the challenges before them. To many, the virus is a life-changing crisis: 10% of the population may meet the criteria for major depressive disorder and even more for PTSD as a direct result of the environment surrounding the pandemic. As the world is experiencing a serious mental health crisis due to the impact of Covid-19, there has been an increase in demand for therapists. While the psychotherapy industry must be strong amid a global pandemic and secondary mental health epidemic, it is not perfect.
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While the main objective of therapists is to connect with patients, it has paradoxically proved to be difficult due to the practice of social distancing. The psychotherapy industry must also employ technology to deliver services remotely. Video and telephone are the main communicative methods for psychotherapy delivery during the pandemic. Some psychotherapists and patients who were less adept with technology struggled at the start, but the remote delivery of psychotherapy will soon become an established routine practice. Despite growing evidence that there is little difference between delivering remote therapy and face to face therapy, in-person communication and interaction is still highly beneficial. In addition to listening, therapists must also read their patient’s body language which can be hidden in a video call. While I am glad teletherapy works for some, I hope therapists do not entirely adopt remote services post pandemic because some individuals can benefit more from in-person counseling.
Another issue affecting the psychotherapy industry is that therapists are under strain, counseling patients on trauma they are also experiencing themselves. Thousands of mental health professionals have had to adjust after a surge of demand for their services during Covid-19. With higher unemployment and changing lifestyles, some therapists have more to take on, understanding that more people are in dire need for mental health care now than before. As the pandemic became a national emergency in March, hotlines including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline as well as the Disaster Distress Helpline received an influx of calls. Even mental health professionals and therapists face the same anxiety, uncertainty and financial troubles that their clients are addressing. They are not immune to the pandemic’s impact and have insecurities and concerns of their own. The entire world is experiencing a similar trauma. It has been a challenge for mental health workers to manage self-care while trying to provide solutions for others. Therapists are humans too. There are many advertisements online to connect people with resources on mental health, but free hotlines and private health services are more overwhelmed during this time than ever before.
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Many therapists and counselors have to also balance the demand for their services with loss of income. Even though there are more people newly seeking therapy, not everyone can afford mental health care long term. Some clients had to stop therapy after losing their jobs since the pandemic. It is unfortunate that those who received care for psychological disorders pre-pandemic no longer have the monetary means to continue. Therapy is a costly luxury that can not be afforded by many of those who need it most. Those who seek therapy in the wake of the pandemic are different than those who have always faced mental health issues. I have seen many social media posts regarding getting help over worries about the pandemic. New patients anxious over the current crisis have to realize mental health is not an easy solution. Therapy is a long term service where patients have to practice coping skills through time and to continuously meet with their providers. It seems easier to get counseling over the phone or computer screen, but how many of these people will need care after people get their working and social lives back? Going to see a therapist in an office appears a lot more serious. People who are new to mental health care might expect professionals to not have problems of their own, but these workers are not exempt from the pressures of coronavirus. These misconceptions show there may be uncertainties over the ability for these stressed patients to pay for services long term. Whether the industry can maintain the demand while still providing adequate care is still up in the air.
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Psychotherapy is an essential part of the response to the Covid-19 and mental health crisis. The pandemic is a “unifying trauma” that affects people others are seeking service from. With the remote delivery of psychotherapy, there may be more access to services; however the demand might not be consistent post pandemic. Some therapists are trying to find potential clients through social media as financial strains have caused old clients to drop services. Telehealth platforms allow professionals to hold sessions online, which can connect clients to highly rated therapists no matter the location. However, I think an essential part of therapy for certain individuals is face to face interaction with a familiar provider which technology can not yet replace. Because therapists rely on their interpersonal skills and knowledge of the psyche, they need to be able to stay mentally strong themselves in order to meet growing needs.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/therapists-are-under-strain-covid-era-counseling-clients-trauma-they-n1230956
https://psychotherapy.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200015
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/why-should-i-go-to-therapy-8-signs-its-time-to-see-a-therapist-0118197
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atheistforhumanity · 4 years
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5 Tips I’m Using to Maintain My Mental Health During Corona Isolation
1. Stay away from triggering materials. 
Obviously knowing what is going on is important, but there is a point where the stress from the amount of exposure you have to news far outweighs what you learn. If you find that this whole situation is contributing to your anxiety or depression, then do this. After you’ve learned what you need to do (which everyone should know by now) then turn off the media sources, alerts, updates, and even sites that are full of Coronavirus talk. Yes, that may include this one. Purposefully check for an update every 3 days or once a week. Don’t bother checking any quicker than that. When you talk to friends and family, make an effort to talk about anything else. Don’t be afraid to tell people that you can’t handle talking about this right now. 
In addition, stay away from other things that stress you out as best you can. Reduce all stress as much as possible. If you’re someone who has lost their job, figure out what steps you need to take, but tell friends and family that you don’t want or need to relish in how worried you are, you need distraction from the worry. 
2. Keep yourself busy/distracted
Whether your a kid stuck inside with family, a parent who’s been laid off, or an elderly person trying to stay away from others, we all need a healthy distraction from the stress and the situation outside. Here are some things that really help me as a person with anxiety. 
1. Watch reruns of a favorite familiar show. This may seem like a “no duh,” but it’s actually been shown that re-watching a familiar series that we love actually brings a great amount of calm and security to people with anxiety. 
2. If you don’t have an indoor hobby, it’s time to get one. Do you have a collection you can sort, models to assemble, drawing or painting to do, blogging, house plants, reading, home improvement, something you want to learn about online, a new language you want to learn? Seriously, dive into anything you’re passionate about. I’m lucky that my writing keeps me very busy. Find what will draw you in and make you feel good. 
3. For kids: Make a giant fort in the living room and watch Disney movies. Institute story time for the whole family. Play board games. Give kids little privileges they don’t normally have to making being home more fun. Order some science experiments online and have a blast. Bake a special treat every few days. It’s a special time, so make it special at home. 
3. Get Your Support Network in Place 
Remember, being physically isolated does not actually mean we need to be socially isolated. We are extremely fortunate to have tons of technology at our fingertips to help us stay in touch. Make the most out of it. If you’re having a hard time, tell your friends and family, and find a few people to stay in regular contact with. Use skype of facetime more often, because it will feel more reassuring to talk face to face. Have an online video dinner with family or friends. Maybe even play games together over the computer. We are all going to need support to get through this, so reach out now and get a reliable group of support. 
4. Physical Exercise
Yes, you can do this at home. It’s pretty easy to find an app or some videos that will help you stay in shape. Now more than ever you need get moving and release those endorphins. Physical exercise is an extremely important stress reducer and mood elevator. I know it’s hard, but challenge yourself and you will be rewarded. 
5. Meditation or Ritual Relaxation 
Most people in America have an aversion to meditation. I feel like we are a country that often avoids being series, and is often purposefully superficial. Because of this most of us don’t learn how to express or deal with our feelings, because serious techniques such as meditation are too uncomfortable for most of us. 
That being said. Meditation is extremely effective in balancing our mood and dealing with our feelings. You can easily find videos for guided meditation online. It’s much easier than you think and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Practices like meditation will help immensely to lower stress, anxiety, and depression around our current situation. Get online and start learning how it can help you today. 
What I mean by Ritual Relaxation is to find something you can do every day for yourself that is especially relaxing. This could be getting up before everyone else and having your coffee alone. It would taking a bubble bath every other day. It could be reading with candles in your room. Anything that is special and can be done regularly.  
I hope these tips were helpful and I hope everyone stays safe and healthy during these times. Reach out to me if you need any help, I’ll see how I can help. Please browse the resources below. 
Resources for Young People
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis - just text YM to 85258
all texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors
texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus
No Panic
www.nopanic.org.uk
No Panic are the people to call if you are suffering from panic attacks, OCD, phobias, and other related anxiety disorders.
helpline: 0844 967 4848 (Daily 10am – 10pm; charges apply)
youth helpline for 13 - 20 yr olds: 0330 606 1174 (Mon - Fri 3pm – 6pm; charges apply)
having a panic attack? Crisis number with recording of a breathing technique: 01952  680835 (24 hr)
childline
www.childline.org.uk
if you're under 19 you can confidentially call, email or chat online about any problem big or small
freephone 24h helpline: 0800 1111
sign up for a childline account on the website to be able to message a counsellor anytime without using your email address
chat 1:1 with an online advisor
The Mix
www.themix.org.uk
if you're under 25 you can talk to The Mix for free on the phone, by email or on their webchat. You can also use their phone counselling service, or get more information on support services you might need.
freephone: 0808 808 4994 (1pm - 11pm daily)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
(For substance abuse and mental health)
Online Support Groups for Depression and Anxiety
Best Overall: Turn2Me
"Hosts free online support groups for anxiety, depression, stress management, suicidal thoughts and feelings, and more."
Best Free Screening Tools: Mental Health America
"In addition to their forums, they offer screening tools that can help you identify if you might have a mental illness, such as anxiety or PTSD."
Best Informational Site: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
"Provides extensive information and resources on anxiety, as well as an anonymous online peer-to-peer support group."
Best for Free One-on-One Support: 7 Cups of Tea
"Seven Cups of Tea offers support from peers, trained volunteers, and paid professionals."
Best Peer-to-Peer Support Group: TheTribe
"You’ll have access to a blog where you can share your story, speak your mind, inspire others, or just vent."
Most Active Anxiety Forum: Daily Strength
"The anxiety forum is active every day and the site tells you how many members are currently online."
The Friendship Line Hotline/Warmline number is 800-971-0016.
(For elderly people who are lonely, anxious, or depressed, by the Institute of Aging.)
The senior helpline phone number is 866-901-4858.
(This number will connect seniors of caregivers to other services for seniors that they might need.)
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