Wellspring EAP Response: COVID-19

The Washington State Department of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public.

Please call 1-800-525-0127 and press if you have questions about:

What is happening in Washington
How the virus is spread
What to do if you have symptoms

The following are curated resources to help you respond to Coronavirus in our region.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Learn about what you should know, recognize the signs of stress in your behavior, body, emotions and your thinking. Know when to get help, how to relieve stress, and find credible sources for outbreak-related health information.
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Tips for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak.
Signs of Vicarious Trauma: Professionals who routinely come in contact with trauma and suffering as part of their work lives may be succeptible to vicarious trauma. This info sheet helps you identify the signs so that you know when to seek help.
Practical Tips for Dealing with COVID-19: Simple every day tips to keep in mind, to help you deal with COVID-19
Good Cellphone Handling Hygiene Can Help Keep Infections At Bay: While details of how COVID-19 is spread are still unfolding, it won't hurt to practice keeping your cellphone clean, as it can serve as a germ host and agent for other illnesses.
Webinar: Build Psychological Immunity During the Coronavirus Outbreak: Access this webinar under the 2020 on-demand section of the webinar listings.

PARENTING RESOURCES

Talking with Children About Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Tips for caregivers, parents, and teachers during infectious disease outbreaks.

Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus: News of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere, from the front page of all the papers to the playground at school. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice from the experts at the Child Mind Institute.

How to Talk to Kids and Teens About the Coronavirus This feature focuses on tips for different age groups, from early childhood, preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school.

Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource This resource includes specific guidelines on how to talk to children, things to consider, like remaining calm and reassuring, making yourself available, avoiding blame, media exposure, routines, honesty and accuracy, and the basics of understanding Coronavirus.

Helping Children and Teens Cope with Anxiety About COVID-19 Suggestions on how to share information with the children and teens in your life in a way that helps prevent too much worry.

Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus: A hand-drawn information piece that communicates facts about the coronavirus in a way that kids can relate to.

Mindfulness to Help Families Manage Coronavirus Anxiety: A few key mindfulness practices to help your family manage the overwhelming feelings that might come up around news of the coronavirus and any other stressful situations.

STAYING INFORMED

Getting your information from reputable sources will help ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Here are some statewide, nationwide, and international resources :