COVID-19 Coping Strategies and Resources for Race Based Trauma

Find resources for coping with fear, stress and anxiety around the COVID-19 pandemic and for coping with race-based trauma.
Page updated on September 27, 2023 at 3:26 PM
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Coping Strategies

Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Taking care of yourself, your friends and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger. Learn more about effective ways to cope with stress and where to access support when needed. 

Talk to Someone

Virginia COPES Warm Line
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), in conjunction with Mental Health America of Virginia, has established a COVID-19 Response Non-Emergency Warm Line for those struggling with distress, grief or trauma caused by COVID-19. Trained staff provide strength-based support, resilience building strategies and community resources and referrals for those in need. Learn more about Virginia COPES and other resources available to Community Service Boards from state agencies.

  • Call or TEXT Toll Free: 877.349.6428
    9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday
    5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday - Sunday  

National Counseling Group 
The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll, leaving many people feeling stressed, isolated, and overwhelmed. Fulfilling its mission, "To Improve Lives," National Counseling Group (NCG) has launched an ncgCARE innovation to provide FREE assistance. NCG is offering three, free video conference sessions to give people support and guidance. It's confidential, one-on-one time with a clinician -- at no charge. This service is open anyone trying to navigate this new reality. If you or someone you know need support during this difficult time, please reach out and contact NCG. Access the service by:

Resources for Coping with COVID and Race Based Trauma

Coping with COVID-19 Fear and Uncertainty
This page contains tips for coping and normal reactions to fear and uncertainty as well as easy to print and distribute flyers for individuals and families and recognizing abuse and staying safe at home.

COVID-19 Wellness Resource Guide
This guide provides resources to help with the life changes and heightened stress and anxiety as a result of COVID-19. It include mental health and wellness resources for managing stress and anxiety, resources for practicing self-care and resilience, parenting and caregiver guides, coping resources for youth, guides for caregivers for older adults, coping resources for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and more.

Resilience Week Virginia 2020 and Resilience Week Virginia 2021
These pages compile daily ideas, tips and resources for building resilience in our personal lives, families, work lives and community.

Multicultural Mental Health Resources
While chronic stress has negative effects on everyone, pervasive exposure to psycho-social factors like racism and discrimination create additional daily stressors for people of color. This page contains multicultural mental health resources, resources for the LGBTQ+ community, resources for immigrants and more.

Race-Based Trauma Resources
This page contains a growing list of resources related to coping with racism and trauma on individual, interpersonal/family, community and national/global levels. 

Suicide Risks and Prevention Resources and Information
Learn how you can get help, support someone in crisis and prevent suicide.

Get Free, Confidential Mental Health Screening 
DCHS offers an online screening tool for mental health and substance use disorders. This free screening is made available to the general public and is taken anonymously. The screening is provided so that you may find out - in a few minutes - whether or not professional consultation would be helpful to you.