Council for Relationships Featured in The Philadelphia Citizen: How to (Keep) Helping During the Pandemic
July 20, 2020 | Covid-19 is showing no sign of leaving Philadelphia, and we here at The Citizen continue to hear from communities in need—and those who are determined to help them.
It’s during times like these when Philly shows its best self—when neighbors band together to support their independent stores, when community organizations pivot from serving one need to filling a more time-sensitive one, and when every Philadelphian has the drive and the power to make a difference.
Keep scrolling for an ongoing and regularly updated list of ways you can help during the coronavirus pandemic in Philadelphia, or skip right to these sections:
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS
In times of uncertainty, the one in five of all of us who cope with mental health issues may be struggling even more than usual. You can’t help others if you’re not helping yourself, whether that means reaching out to your mental health provider via phone or tele-conference, making sure your prescriptions are filled, and reaching out for support. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has created this Covid-19 resource page, and if you are in crisis, text CRISIS to 741741 to be connected to a trained crisis counselor for free, confidential support 24/7.
Council for Relationships (CFR) has established the Council Cares for the Community Fund to provide free and low-fee, online and phone counseling to those who have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CFR fund is two-fold: The first part is the “Those Who Care for the Community” Initiative that will provide free counseling services to health care providers, first responders, grocery store employees, delivery people and other essential workers who have been serving the public since the pandemic’s onset.
The second part of the fund will allow CFR to expand its current low-fee counseling services to respond to an increased demand for little to no-cost mental health services for individuals with lower incomes and those experiencing a recent loss of employment. Donate here.
BY JESSICA PRESS AND ROXANNE PATEL SHEPELAVY