Fear won’t win.

Hope will not be cancelled.

In early 2020, our world changed due to a global pandemic, and we still don’t know what the future holds in terms of experiencing so many of the things we’ve been missing and unable to see or do during this time. Caring for ourselves is important—especially in the midst of uncertainty. You are human and deserve to feel loved and supported, by those around you and by yourself. We want to talk about what you can do to encourage calm and support your mental health well-being in general and also when you’re feeling overwhelmed or drained.

Self-care tips

It’s important to practice self-care and things that support emotional and mental health during stressful times. Here are some suggestions:

Practice mindfulness using meditation apps like Calm and Headspace. You can also check out this body scan meditation from our friend Tianna Soto and these yoga and breathing exercises from our friends at Move to Heal.
Explore virtual or remote counseling options such as Talkspace.
Reach out to those you love by calling or texting. Ask for and offer reassurance as best you can.
Follow guidelines suggested by trustworthy sources. World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are both trusted and reliable.
Schedule regular breaks from the news and social media by stepping outside and engaging in self-care activities: watch a favorite movie, read a book, listen to podcasts, etc.
Look to the future with hope by holding on to the things that bring you joy.

Blogs to read

Stories have a way of reminding us we are not alone. Knowing that what we are feeling and experiencing is also shared and understood by others offers us comfort and connection. May these stories from the TWLOHA blog be a source of hope for you right now.

Downloads

Sometimes we need a gentle nudge to focus on the good, to remember that we are more than our thoughts and more than what is happening around us. These free downloads will help you do just that.

The Hopeful

Coloring Pages

Mobile + Social

Videos to watch

Watch more on YouTube

Podcast

If podcasts are your thing, we have one that brings you genuine conversations and honest and hopeful connections about the things that make us all human. You can listen to every episode from our first three seasons plus brand new episodes as we premiere Season 4!

Listen to More Episodes

Find Help

No matter what you’re feeling right now, it’s okay to ask for help. Here are some options for connecting to support:

Crisis Text Line: In the US, you can text TWLOHA to 741741 to be connected to a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7. (In the UK text SHOUT to 85258. In Canada text TWLOHA to 686868.)

FIND HELP Tool: Locate free and reduced-cost resource options by entering your zip code and the type of care you’re seeking. Or locate resources related to COVID-19 needs by choosing “Other” and typing in “COVID19.” For those located outside of the US, we invite you to use our International Resources page.

If your recovery process typically includes attending in-person support group meetings, or you’re looking to join an online support group, here are a few resources to start with:

FIND HELP Tool Find Online Support Groups

You can also help TWLOHA continue the work we’re doing by donating or making a purchase from the Online Store.

Donate Online Store

Other resources

Part of caring for ourselves involves finding ways to have fun and be joyful. These free resources will help you do just that!

Explore these resources from Shine
Watch Metropolitan Opera performances for free
Take a virtual tour of a museum
See animals at various zoos via webcam
Use Scholastic’s free resources as activities for your kids
Check out these videos about how to be OK in stressful times
Host a virtual Netflix Party with friends
Bring good news into your newsfeed by following Good Good Good
From Hawaii to Alaska, take a virtual tour of a few National Parks

Spotify Playlist

At To Write Love on Her Arms, we are fans of music. To us, music means people and movement and an invitation to come together. So we’ve taken a bit of time to create the “Music Is A Safe Space” playlist that features songs you might relate to or find comfort, inspiration, and understanding in. That being said, not all songs will be for all people, so we recommend exploring this playlist as something that you can pick-and-choose, amend or diminish, repeat or skip as you deem necessary.