Behavioral Health

Disaster situations and traumatic events can overwhelm our ability to cope. Often people experience anxiety, fear, helplessness, and hopelessness. Some of the signs of distress are listed below:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little.
• Pulling away from people and things.
• Having low or no energy.
• Having unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomachaches or headaches.
• Feeling helpless or hopeless.
• Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs, including prescription medications.
• Worrying a lot of the time or feeling guilty but not sure why.
• Thinking of hurting or killing yourself or someone else.
• Having difficulty readjusting to home or work life.

If you feel like you or someone you know is experiencing distress, there are numerous ways to get help.

Idaho Hotlines

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Text or call 9-8-8. Help is available 24-7.
• Veterans: Dial 9-8-8, then press 1.

National Hotlines

• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
  Anonymous texting service is available 24/7. Starting a conversation is easy.
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline — 1-800-985-5990
  Provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
• Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
  Advocates are available 24/7 to talk to anyone who is experiencing domestic violence, looking for information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  If your life or someone else’s is in imminent danger, please call 9-1-1. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call the number above.

Idaho COVID-19 Resource Guides — Division of Behavioral Health

• Behavioral Health Resource Guide
• Substance Use Disorders Resource Guide

National COVID-19 Resource Guides

• Mental Health and COVID-19 – Information and Resources — Mental Health America

Resources and information for self-care and coping

• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health — Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration
• Stress and Coping — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreak — National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
• Guide for Schools on a Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching through the Coronavirus — NCTSN
• COVID-19 Mental Health Support Resources – Idaho State Department of Education

Provider COVID-19 Resources and Guidance

• Telehealth Information and Resource Guide — Division of Behavioral Health
  • Tips for Effective Use of Tele-Behavioral Health — Division of Behavioral Health
• Behavioral Health Resource Guide for Providers — Division of Behavioral Health
• Guidelines for Behavioral Health during the COVID-19 Crisis – Division of Behavioral Health
• Recommendations for Supporting Individuals Receiving Care in State Psychiatric Facilities during the COVID-19 Crisis
• How to Prepare for a Video Appointment

Communications and Plans from the Division of Behavioral Health

• DBH COVID-19 Strike Team
• DBH COVID-19 Strategic Response Plan
• Letter to Behavioral Health Providers — Divisions of Behavioral Health and Medicaid
• Ensuring Behavioral Healthcare Amid COVID-19 Crisis
• DBH Stakeholder Meeting Slides – May 25, 2021
• DBH Stakeholder Meeting Slides – April 32, 2021

Laws, Rules, Ethics, and Other Information

• DBH Statute Waiver Requests
• Interstate Telehealth Waivers and Exemptions
• Idaho Telehealth Access Act
• IDAPA Rules (Idaho Administrative Code)
• Counseling in a Time of COVID-19 – American Counseling Association
• Policy Regarding the Provision of Distance Professional Services – National Board for Certified Counselors Code of Ethics
• COVID-19 Ethics Resources – National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
• SUD-Specific Resources — Association for Addiction Professionals Code of Ethics
• American Counseling Association (ACA) 2014 Code of Ethics — See Section H, Distance Counseling, pg. 17-18)
• Policy Regarding the Provision of Distance Professional Services — National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19 – SAMHSA