Help is available for those who need it

How many times in the last month have you said “is this real life?”  I’ve lost count.  Those of us working from home are beginning to feel like we are living in the movie Groundhog’s Day.  If you are an essential worker, depending on your job, you could go one of two ways, your life may not have changed or you feel the weight of our current situation crushing you.  With a constant change in services, procedures, and information it is becoming difficult to keep up and honestly, it is a bit overwhelming.

E-Learning, working for home, wearing masks in public, trying to practice social distancing while at your workplace, or managing your business in these times can take a toll on a person.  For those struggling with quarantine life and not sure where to turn, I want to give you some local resources to keep handy.

815-941-HELP or www.815941help.com is a local information and referral system if you are looking to connect with any of the social services serving Grundy County.  This is a good starting point for finding contact information for local resources.

The YMCA and Crossroads Counseling have teamed up to offer virtual conversations called Feelings Matter. These will be weekly sessions taking place via Zoom.  To access this resource visit www.jolietymca.org then click Feelings Matter Conversations, this will take you to the details on how to join.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is offering a variety of virtual support groups and classes during this pandemic to replace their regular in person groups.  NAMI-Will Grundy is hosting online family support groups which can be found by visiting www.namiwillgrundy.org then click the Online Support Group tab.  NAMI Chicago is also hosting several groups, information on these groups can be found on their website www.namichicago.org and then click the Find Support tab.

Crisis Line of Will and Grundy Counties is another information and referral system, but can also provide crisis counseling, suicide prevention and intervention, and reassurance calls for elderly and disabled individuals who may need someone to check in on them.  Crisis Line can be reached by calling 815-942-6611.

Unfortunately, being isolated in these uncertain times can increase anxiety and depression, leaving some feeling hopeless.  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is still functional and available 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

While many of their services are interrupted due to COVID-19, Guardian Angel Community Services has several hotlines still available to the populations they serve:

Adult Protective Services Hotline: 866-800-1409
Groundwork Domestic Violence Hotline: 815-729-1228
Sexual Assault Service Center Hotline: 815-730-8984

While I know this list does not encompass all the services currently available and how to access them, it is meant to be a starting point.  Like the rest of the world, local social services have had to amend how they conduct business.  If you need assistance of any form, I would recommend calling the agency directly.  As most of working remotely, you may have to leave a message.  Also, organizations are doing a great job of updating their websites and Facebook pages so please visit those to find the most current information.

We are all in this together so continue to check on your friends and family.  A phone call or text could make all the difference in someone’s day!