The COVID-19 emergency has dramatically changed life in Baltimore, and across the country. BHSB has put together resources and information to support our community to stay healthy, safe and connected during this pandemic.
If you are a behavioral health provider click here to see resources and updates for providers.
The tabs below contain information on COVID-19, resources for supporting emotional health and wellness, Baltimore City specific resources, and funding opportunities during this crisis.
Information about COVID-19
For information about COVID-19, review these resources from local and national health experts.
- Access COVID 19 Testing in Baltimore City
- COVID-19 Information (Center for Disease Control)
- COVID-19 Updates for Maryland (Maryland Department of Health)
- Baltimore COVID-19 Information (Baltimore City Health Department)
- Coronavirus Myth Busters (World Health Organization)
- COVID-19 Fact Sheet (Baltimore City Health Department)
Tips to Support Emotional Health and Wellness
You may find yourself feeling a range of emotions from sadness, loneliness, anger, fear, loss of control and anxiety. It’s normal to feel stressed and upset during a crisis. Finding ways to cope and manage stress is important for your health and wellness. Here are some tips to help you support your emotional health and your community through these challenging times.
- Take a Break from the News. Be aware of how much time you spend looking at the news and social media and how it is impacting your mood. Remember, there is a lot of misinformation out there! Consider turning off push notifications, and verify your sources.
- Reach out for Support. If you are worried about your finances or getting food for you and/or your family, know there are resources to help. There are a variety of resources further down on this page.
- Maintain familiar routines as much as possible. Try to wake up and go to sleep around the same time every day. Develop a daily telework schedule, with breaks included.
- Find ways to connect with loved ones. Call/text your family, neighbors or friends and ask them how they are doing.
- Do things that give you joy. Talk to a friend or family member on the phone. Connect to your spirituality. Cook your favorite meal. Cuddle your pet.
- Things to do Online.
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- Stream music you love or join a dance party with your favorite DJ on social media
- Take a virtual museum tour
- Participate in an online worship service or support group
- Connect with your community by hosting a Zoom* gathering- Zoom conferencing is now free!
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- Focus on Movement. Take a walk around the block. Go to the park. Stand outside your front door and breath in the air. Do some yoga or chair If you do go out, just make sure you are maintaining 6 feet of physical distance from others.
- Just Breathe. Stop what you’re doing, close your eyes, and slowly breath in and out for a minute. Download a meditation app like Insight Timer, Headspace or Calm.
Mental Health Resources
- It’s especially important for people in recovery and those with mental illness to find ways to connect with each other and find support right now.
- Find support groups for mental illness and substance use (Mental Health Association of Maryland)
- NAMI Baltimore is offering free support groups online for people living with mental illness and their families
- Here is a list of support groups and virtual meetings in Maryland.
- If you are specifically looking for Baltimore Narcotics Anonymous groups, click here.
- You can call Baltimore’s Crisis, Information and Referral Line anytime for support for your mental and emotional health. Call 410-433-5157.
- House of Ruth’s 24 hour hotline is available to support victims of domestic abuse, call 410-889-7884. You can find updated information and resources online at Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.
- Find local providers offering behavioral health care through Telehealth
- Accessing Care during the Coronavirus Crisis (Mental Health Association of Maryland)
- Guide to Support Mental Health during this Emergency (NAMI)
- Resources to Calm your Child’s Coronavirus Fears
- Toolkit to care for your anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak
Free Meals, Childcare and Other Essential Resources
There are a wide variety of resources available to support Baltimore residents through this emergency.
- 211 can help if you need assistance finding food, paying bills, or connecting to other essential services, connect online or call
- This map will help you find free meals, healthcare or other resources near you.
- The CDC issued a temporary halt on evictions through December 31, 2020. Here is a copy of the Declaration Form residents must fill out to be protected from getting evicted.
- Find free food services near you with this map of COVID-19 free food sites.
- Free resources for children and families impacted by school closures
- The Family Tree is offering a 24-hour Parenting Helpline. Call 1(800) 243 7337
- Baltimore City Public Schools is helping students access the internet or get computers.
- There are a number of companies offering free or reduced internet access. The Comcast Internet Essentials program is offering 2 months of free internet for eligible individuals, including all families with children in Baltimore City Public Schools. Verizon also has special discounts and offers.
- The Esperanza Center is offering a hotline to serve non-English-speaking population in pandemic. Call 667-600-2314
- Only use public transportantion for essential travel. For MTA changes and updates, visit their Coronavirus updates page.
- Maryland Health Connection has launched a special one-month emergency enrollment period through April 15.
- Baltimore residents have come together to create a spreadsheet and resource for mutual aid.
- Maryland residents 65 and up can register for a daily check in call. Call 1-866-502-0560 to register.
- If you are an essential employee and need child care, call Locate Child Care at 877-261-0060.
Financial Resources
- If you are a Baltimore resident who may be unable to pay rent due to wages lost during the COVID crisis, you may be eligible for temporary financial assistance..
- Find help to apply for unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, welfare or temporary assistance, and other programs.
- Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance
- Are you looking for a job in Baltimore? Check out this COVID-19 Job Board from the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.
- Governor Hogan temporarily prohibited evictions during the crisis.
- Is your small business impacted by the crisis? Find local resources to support small businesses.
- Small businesses and non-profits are eligible to apply for a loan under Maryland’s Payment Protection Program
- If you are looking for financial resources a non-profits or small business, visit our Funding Opportunities page.
Harm Reduction Resources
Here are some ways to get Narcan or clean syringes:
- Pick up at Charm City Care Connection: pick up free naloxone and syringe services at the door of 1212 N. Wolfe St. from Monday-Thursday, 2-5pm.
- Mail order: Order free naloxone by mail at https://www.naloxoneforall.org/resources-yesno-maryland (or by calling Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition at 410-205-5143)
- Pharmacy: Under the statewide standing order, anyone can get naloxone at a pharmacy without a prescription. Naloxone will be charged to insurance; if the person has Medicaid, the copay is $1 and can be waived.
- OTP: If you are a patient at an opioid treatment program (OTP), ask for a dose of narcan to take home.
- The Baltimore City Health Department’s Syringe Services Program is still operating with a limited schedule.
One Pagers
BHSB, the Baltimore City Health Department and other partners created informational materials to support mental health in different communities in Baltimore. Please share them with your networks.