Copy
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services logo
The Impact newsletter banner has a DHS keystone and colorful building illustrations.
PA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES • DECEMBER 23, 2020

TAKING CARE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Help is Available to Alleviate Stressors of Holiday Season

The holidays can be both a time of joy and a period of stress for people, depending on their circumstances. Dealing with mental well-being is an important part of everyone’s overall good health and remains a priority amid the ongoing pandemic. Given the challenges we are all currently facing, all Pennsylvanians should take extra care to be mindful of their mental health and tend to their overall health and wellness during this time. Check in with yourself, be honest about how you are feeling to yourself and your support network, and if you need someone to talk to or a little extra support, help is available.

The holidays are also a time when families use food as a source of comfort, community, and celebration. But given this difficult year, many Pennsylvanians may be having trouble meeting their essential needs. No one should go without food during the holidays. Pennsylvania’s food assistance programs and the charitable food network were built for difficult times like these, and no one should be shy to get help if they need a little assistance.
This holiday season, the Wolf Administration has resources for people struggling with mental health, putting food on the tables, and other stressors:

FOOD
  • SNAP — Apply for benefits: www.compass.state.pa.us.
    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps Pennsylvanians purchase fresh food and groceries for recipients, helping families with limited or strained resources be able to keep food on the table while meeting other bills and needs. Earlier this year, Pennsylvania joined a pilot program from the federal government allowing SNAP recipients to purchase food online through certain approved retailers such as ALDI, Walmart, Amazon, and Shoprite. 
     
  • PA211.org 
    Use this resource to search for holiday baskets and meals or find a local organization distributing holiday food packages.
     
  • Find a MealFood pantries near you
    Many local food banks, food pantries, and other emergency feeding organizations provide meals or vouchers for meals. Find local emergency feeding organizations online.
     
  • More information — agriculture.pa.gov/foodsecurity
    For more about the Wolf Administration’s efforts related to food insecurity in Pennsylvania throughout the pandemic.

MENTAL HEALTH
  • Persevere PA — 1-855-284-2494 (TTY:724-631-5600)
    The Department of Human Services' mental health support and referral helpline is available 24/7 and is a free resource staffed by skilled and compassionate caseworkers available to counsel Pennsylvanians struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions. 
     
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 
    1-800-273-8255 (Spanish: 1-888-628-9454)
    The hotline is staffed 24/7 by trained counselors who can offer free, confidential support.
     
  • Crisis Text Line — Text “PA” to 741741
     
  • Office of Advocacy and Reform (OAR) — 
    www.governor.pa.gov/about/office-of-advocacy-and-reform/

    A group of volunteers focused exclusively on setting guidelines and benchmarks for trauma-informed care across the commonwealth. 

SUBSTANCE USE
  • Get Help Now Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
    A toll-free helpline maintained through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) that connects callers looking for treatment options for themselves or a loved one to resources in their community. Calls are anonymous and available 24/7.
     
  • Naloxone Standing Order www.pa.gov/opioids
    Naloxone is still available to all Pennsylvanians through Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine’s standing order. Carrying naloxone on-hand at all times can be a life-saving action.
     
OLDER PENNSYLVANIANS
  • SOLO: Strengthening Older Lives Online — View in English or Spanish
    The Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Council on Aging (PCoA) released an interactive guide with information and resources to help older adults cultivate a healthy mind, body and spirit amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
     
  • Virtual Family Council Meetings —
    Department of Aging Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
    The next Virtual Family Council meeting to support families of long-term care residents will be held Tuesday, December 29 from 4:30-6 p.m. PEERs (Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents) will join this meeting to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic from the long-term care resident’s perspective. To attend, email Jay Rotz at jarotz@pa.gov and use 'Virtual Family Council' in the subject line to receive meeting link and instructions.
     
KINSHIP FAMILIES
  • KinConnector — www.kinconnector.org1-866-KIN-2111
    Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are finding themselves caring for children who lost parents or whose parents are not able to be their primary caregiver should know that help is available via the KinConnector helpline. The helpline is staffed by Kinship Navigators – compassionate, knowledgeable social service professionals prepared to help families locate, understand, and access resources that may be able to help them during the holiday season.
STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
We all need the comfort of tradition, but as we celebrate the holidays safely within our households, we must be mindful of doing all we can to limit interactions outside our household to stop the spread of COVID-19.
MASK UP!
In Pennsylvania, masks must be worn indoors and outdoors whenever outside of the home. Additionally, if you have people over who do not live with you, you must wear a mask. Members of the public should wear cloth or fabric masks and save surgical masks and N95 respirators for health care workers and first responders. Remember this saying: "My mask protects you, your mask protects me."
DOWNLOAD THE COVID ALERT APP
For the most up to date information on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health or PA Unites Against COVID and download the COVID Alert PA App to monitor your symptoms, get alerted for potential exposures, and unite us in the fight against COVID-19.
Facebook
DHS on Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Website
Copyright © 2018 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. All rights reserved.


Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can
update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.