Responding to COVID-19

Public health emergencies such as COVID-19 have a significant impact on people with mental illness, their families, and caregivers; the mental health workforce; and the mental health treatment system. They also cause stress and anxiety across the population.

Here we highlight MHTTC products and resources that can be useful when coping with the effects of widespread public health crises. A compilation of resources from other reputable organizations is also available below.

If you are interested in other resources related to COVID-19, please also see the following pages for these topics:

To view a full list of upcoming events and resources related to COVID-19, please click here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information 

People with mental illness, especially severe mental illness, are at higher risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes. The following events and resources support discussing COVID-19 vaccines with patients.


Ask a Peer: COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A for Youth and FamiliesNew England MHTTC 

Young people who have experienced psychosis and their families may have unanswered questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. With walk-in vaccine appointments now available across Massachusetts, this panel of early psychosis peer specialists and local vaccine experts are here to share their experiences. Join the New England MHTTC for a presentation and open conversation on the COVID-19 vaccine, equity, and mental health.

Motivational Interviewing for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy | New England MHTTC

There are enough COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in the United States, but some people aren't quite sure yet if they are ready to get one. Dr. Emily Kline will teach you to use skills from an evidence-based approach called motivational interviewing to have more successful conversations about COVID-19 vaccines in this webinar.

Resources from Other Organizations 

Administration for Community Living

Strategies for Helping Older Adults and People with Disabilities Access COVID-19 Vaccines


African American Behavioral Health - Center of Excellence

Addressing the Vaccine “Hesitancy” Crisis in Black Communities: Behavioral Health Can Do Something About This.


American Psychiatric Association

APA Coronavirus Resources

Guidance Document: The Role of Psychiatrists in the Equitable Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies in Public Psychiatry


American Psychological Association

Building Vaccine Confidence Through Community Engagement


American Society of Addiction Medicine

COVID-19 Vaccination and Addiction Treatment


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Answering Patients’ Questions About COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccine Community Toolkit

COVID-19 Vaccination Intent, Perceptions, and Reasons for Not Vaccinating Among Groups Prioritized for Early Vaccination

How to talk to your patients about COVID-19 vaccination

National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine


Department of Health and Human Services

Confronting COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation

COVID-19 Public Education Campaign


Institute for Healthcare Improvement

COVID-19 Vaccines: Questions and Concerns to Anticipate


Kaiser Family Foundation

KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor

Latest Data on COVID-19 Vaccinations by Race/Ethnicity


Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute

Community Forum with Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett: Everything You Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines 


Mental Health America

Coping with COVID-19 Vaccine Anxiety

Dealing with COVID-19 Vaccine Anxiety


Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Get the Facts


National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Understanding and Communicating about COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Equity


National Alliance on Mental Illness

COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide

Live Radio Show Discussing the Vaccine and the Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health

Vaccine Science: A History of Distrust and Discrimination for People with Mental Illness


National Association of Social Workers

Social Workers and the COVID-19 Vaccine


National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

The COVID-19 Vaccination and Mental Illness: Communication and Misinformation


National Council for Behavioral Health

COVID-19 Vaccine Update


National Council for Mental Wellbeing

COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar Series - 1

COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar Series - 2


National Training & Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, Family Mental Health

Clinical Practice & Health Care: 5 Things to know right now about vaccines for COVID-19 (Feb 2021)


Office of Minority Health Resource Center

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources


Office on Women's Health - U.S Department of Health and Human Services

Sex Differences in Vaccine Immune Response


Rural Health Information Hub

COVID-19 Vaccination in Rural Areas


SMI Adviser

How to Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccines with Individuals Who Have Serious Mental Illness (SMI)


Other COVID-19 Resources

For Everyone:

Administration for Children and Families (ACF): ACF Native American COVID-19 Resources

CDC: Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event

CDC: Know the Facts About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Help Stop the Spread of Rumors

CDC: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

CDC: Self Care During an Emergency

DTAC: Feeling Stressed or Anxious About the COVID-19 Pandemic?

DTAC: Tips for Managing Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic Wallet Card

NCTSN: Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Community Organizations and Leaders

NCTSN: Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) Online

NIH: Coping with COVID-19

NIMH Livestream Event: Suicide Prevention Strategies - September 23, 11-11:30am PT / 2-2:30pm ET

SAMHSA: Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks(English)/(Spanish)  

SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During and Infectious Disease Outbreak (English)/(Spanish) 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) webpage dedicated to COVID-19 resources

For Behavioral Health Providers:

Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: COVID-19 Messaging Guidance Page

Americares: Resources for Clinics and Health Workers in a Global Pandemic

American Psychological Association: COVID-19: Is it legal to treat clients in another state? 

CDC: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020

Mountain Plains MHTTC: Housing and Homelessness Resources: COVID-19

National American Indian and Alaska Native PTTC: Resource Guide for Prevention Providers During COVID-19

National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health: Supporting Survivors’ Access to Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services During the COVID-19 Emergency

National Wraparound Implementation Center: Special Guidance Report: Managing and Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NCEED: Eating Disorders and COVID-19: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know

NCTSN: The Impact of COVID-19 on Child Sex and Labor Trafficking

SAMHSA: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Response and 42 CFR Part 2 Guidance

SAMHSA: Double Jeopardy: COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S.

SAMHSA: National Guidelines for Mental Health Crisis Care: A Best Practices Toolkit

SAMHSA: Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19

SMI Adviser: Resources on COVID-19 and Serious Mental Illness

Suicide Prevention Resource Center: COVID-19 Resource Page

Uniformed Services University - Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress: Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know

For Families and Children:

CDC: Coping After a Disaster – A Ready Wrigley activity book for children age 3-10

CDC: Helping Children Cope with Emergencies

NCEED: Eating Disorders and COVID-19: What Individuals and Families/Caregivers Need to Know

NCTSN: Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event

NCTSN: Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Parents

NCTSN: Coping in Hard Times: Fact Sheet for Youth High School and College Age

NCTSN: PFA: Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents

NCTSN: PFA: Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers after Disasters

NCTSN: PFA: Parent Tips for Preschool-Age Children after Disasters

NCTSN: Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents

NCTSN: Supporting Children During Coronavirus (COVID19)

SAMHSA: Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (English)/(Spanish)

For First Responders:

DTAC: Are You Working to Help People Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic?

NCTSN: Keeping Yourself and Your Kids Safe and Healthy in the Pandemic: Tips for Judges, Legal Professionals, and Court Personnel

NCTSN: Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online

NCTSN: PFA Mobile (Available for iOS and Android)

NCTSN: Strengthening Your Resilience: Take Care of Yourself as You Care for Others

NCTSN: Working Together in the Pandemic: Tips for Front-Line Juvenile Justice Staff

NCTSN: Working Together in the Pandemic: Tips for Juvenile Justice Administrators and Supervisors in Preparing for the Future

NCTSN: Working Together in the Pandemic: Tips for Supporting Youth and Families in a Time of Crisis

SAMHSA: Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself


SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline is standing by 24/7 to support you during the pandemic & beyond. Toll-free, multilingual, & confidential support services are available to all residents in the U.S. & its territories. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor.

Thank you to the Southeast MHTTC for helping curate the content on this page. 

Copyright © 2024 Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network
map-markermagnifiercrossmenuchevron-down