Blog
Holiday Mental Health Resources
As the holidays draw near, the Wolf Administration has provided holiday mental health resources for Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety, depression, loneliness, isolation and other stressors.
The holidays can be both a time of joy and a period of stress for people, depending on their circumstances. Dealing with mental well-being is an important part of overall good health and remains a priority amid the ongoing pandemic. Given the challenges we are all currently facing, we must take extra care to be mindful of our mental health to maintain our overall health and wellness during this time. Check in with yourself, be honest with yourself and your support network about how you are feeling, and if you need someone to talk to or a little extra support, help is available.
MENTAL HEALTH
- Persevere PA — 1-855-284-2494 (TTY:724-631-5600)
The Department of Human Services’ mental health support and referral helpline is available 24/7 and is a free resource staffed by skilled and compassionate caseworkers available to counsel Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 1-800-273-8255 (Spanish: 1-888-628-9454)
The hotline is staffed 24/7 by trained counselors who can offer free, confidential support.
- Crisis Text Line — Text “PA” to 741741
- Office of Advocacy and Reform (OAR)
A group of volunteers focused exclusively on setting guidelines and benchmarks for trauma-informed care across the commonwealth.
SUBSTANCE USE
- Get Help Now Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
A toll-free helpline maintained through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) that connects callers looking for treatment options for themselves or a loved one to resources in their community. Calls are anonymous and available 24/7.
- Naloxone Standing Order
Naloxone is still available to all Pennsylvanians through Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine’s standing order. Carrying naloxone on-hand at all times can be a life-saving action.
OLDER PENNSYLVANIANS
- SOLO: Strengthening Older Lives Online — View in English or Spanish
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Council on Aging (PCoA) released an interactive guide with information and resources to help older adults cultivate a healthy mind, body and spirit amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
KINSHIP FAMILIES
- KinConnector — 1-866-KIN-2111
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are finding themselves caring for children who lost parents or whose parents are not able to be their primary caregiver should know that help is available via the KinConnector helpline. The helpline is staffed by Kinship Navigators – compassionate, knowledgeable social service professionals prepared to help families locate, understand, and access resources that may be able to help them during the holiday season. - ASCI Family Wellness Warmline
This warmline is a 24/7 phone service providing 100% confidential support from ASCI’s trained staff. You will be connected to a supportive, knowledgeable and compassionate person to listen to your concerns, who will use their mental-health skills to help you work through them.
Please be assured that the Family Wellness Warmline does not discriminate based on age, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation and will not judge your mental-health history, treatment or any topic you need to discuss. Our main concern is the well-being of our families, and to help any member of your family.