Front Line Support

“We recognize the unique needs of staff working on the front lines during this COVID-19 crisis, along with the impact on your families. The work can take a toll on your mental wellness, and there is help. Through the support of some of our local foundations, we are able expand our services in this area. We thank you for your service in our community and want to reciprocate by serving you.”
- Susan Rome, deputy director, Johnson County Mental Health Center

How to get help

Johnson County Mental Health Center

• The Crisis Line (913-268-0156) is for any individual personally experiencing a mental health crisis or with someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
• The Customer Care Center (913-826-4200) is available during business hours for any non-emergency needs. Individuals can leave a message after hours, which will be returned the following day.
• Walk-in hours are available beginning at 9 a.m. each weekday at the Olathe or Shawnee offices.

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Support organizations

United Way 211

Resource referral source accessed by dialing 211 from any phone or online.

Signature Psychiatric Hospital

Beyond the Call is an outpatient program for first-responders, military members and their families. The group meets 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Valor Recovery Program is a 28-day inpatient program for first-responders and veterans.

Online recovery meetings with We Connect Recovery

The Battle Within

Provides free licensed teletherapy for first-responders of COVID-19.

Code 1 Wellness

The vision is simple: to aid in the prevention and treat the causes of mental distress that currently take the lives of heroes in uniform.

Warriors’ Ascent

First-responder and veterans participate in a free five day retreat and engage in activities to promote psychological knowledge, insight, emotion, regulation, mindfulness and physical health.

Basic Mental Wellness Information

• Structure your days and weeks.
• Talk to people. This can be by phone, video chats or apps, such as Marco Polo, Zoom or Facetime.
• Check-in on friends, family and coworkers.
• Help others with projects online or over the phone. Offer skills that you can do for others remotely.
• Give yourself permission to feel down. It really is okay if you’re not okay.
• Talk about your feelings with others.
• Keep a written or video journal.
• Do things that feel good to you.
• Exercise.
• Recognize that others are having many of the same feelings that you are.
• Make sure you’re meeting your essential nutritional needs.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid using substances such as alcohol or drugs for coping.
• Make as many daily decisions as you can to give you a feeling of control over the situation.

Coping/Self Care

• First-Responders Mindfulness Practice
• Pause First – Mindfulness for First-Responders – Kim Colgrove
• Mindful Teachers - Self-Care resources
• The Counseling Teacher - Self-Care ideas for teachers

Additional Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 or text 741741
National Disaster & Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990
Veteran’s Crisis line – 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or text 838255

Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc

Offers free counseling by phone for people who are fighting back after Covid-19, budgeting to scale back, late paying their mortgage, needing to talk with a landlord if rent payments will be late, wondering what the timeline is for a legal eviction if rent is late, paying student loans, getting “pay day” type loans, living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Kansas Legal Services

Provides free forms for Durable Power of Attorney (has to be notarized) and a Living Will (which requires two witnesses over the age of 18).

Health Journeys free daily meditations

Mental Health Moment weekly email

It's Okay if You're not Okay mental health podcast

Apps

• Calm for meditation and sleep
• Happify - effective tools and programs to better control your emotional wellbeing
• Headspace - provides 10 minute mediation sessions with the first 10 days being at no charge
• My3 - Helps you be prepared to help yourself and reach out to others if you have thoughts of suicide