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In response to the current national emergency, NCDVTMH will continue to provide updates, resources, and tip sheets to support domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy organizations and coalitions in responding to the trauma, mental health, and substance use-related needs of survivors and their families.
Download Tip Sheet #1: Supporting Survivors’ Access to Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services During the COVID-19 Emergency.
With all 50 states reporting incidences of COVID-19, our nation is quickly coming to grips with the many gaps that exist in our systems of care.
Substance use disorder treatment and mental health services can be difficult to access under regular circumstances. During this national emergency, there are new kinds of barriers to accessing treatment as well as new and emerging policies designed to address them. This tip sheet outlines key steps in advocating for survivors’ continued access to mental health and substance use services and medication.
COVID-19 Mental Health, Substance Use & Trauma Needs & Resources Survey
NCDVTMH wants to provide you with timely, useful resources on responding to the COVID-19 epidemic. We invite you to complete a brief 3-question survey to help guide us as we develop supports and resources. Your input is greatly valued. This survey is anonymous and voluntary. Take the survey.
If you have any technical issues related to this survey, please email Heather Phillips.
Additional Resources
For additional information on supporting safety for people who use substances, here are some resources from reputable sources:
- Harm Reduction Coalition COVID-19 Guidance
- Practicing Harm Reduction in the COVID-19 Outbreak
- COVID-19 Guidance for Bridge Programs and MAT Services
- COVID-19 Guidance for People Who Use Substances
For additional information on domestic violence advocacy in the context of COVID-19, here are some trusted sources:
- NNEDV Resources on the Response to COVID-19
- Futures Without Violence Information on COVID-19 for Survivors, Communities, and DV/SA Programs
- VAWNet: Preventing and Managing the Spread of COVID-19 Within Domestic Violence Programs
- WSCADV’s Response to Corona Virus & Resource Round-up
For additional information on expanding telehealth services and access to mental health and substance use disorder services, including medication assisted treatment (MAT), here are some additional resources:
- For a range of resources and information on accessing MAT see: SAMHSA’s MAT webpage
- For information about the waiver of HIPAA penalties to expand access to telehealth services via less secure video platforms such as FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts and Skype see: U.S. DHHS Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
- For information about changes to 42CFR Part 2 protections regarding the disclosure of information about substance use disorder treatment, download PDF: SAMHSA’s COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Response and 42 CFR Part 2 Guidance
- For information about the expansion of Medicare coverage for telehealth services, including mental health counseling, see: Center for Medicare & and Medicaid Services Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
- For information about expanded options for delivery of medication assisted treatment if a person is unable to access in-person treatment services and/or to prevent unnecessary exposure, download the following PDFs:
There are many comprehensive public health sources to turn to for information on COVID-19, for more information please see: The CDC’s COVID-19 Webpage
Please follow us on social media to stay up to date on tip sheets and other resources:
While our communities may be increasing our physical distance, our interconnectedness is undeniable.
In solidarity,
NCDVTMH
