The current Covid-19 health crisis has created a great economic hardship, as well as emotional stress, for many individuals and families. Here we have collected ministries and organizations that offer help to those in need, and also mental health resources to help with the new anxieties and stress many are feeling. Scroll below to find:
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- Help available through parish ministries and local organizations
- Organizations taking donations to help those in need.
- Tips for parents to help their children during this difficult time.
- Mental health resources to manage stress and anxiety.
- Prayer lines and special ways to pray for our community.
Scroll below to find organizations that help those in need, parental support and mental health resources.
Mental Health Resources
After several weeks under Illinois’ stay-at-home order, most of us are adjusting our routines and practicing social distancing to care for our physical health. However, this life-altering pandemic has also affected our mental well-being and many are experiencing new stress that can be difficult to manage on our own. Click on the links below for helpful mental health resources. If you need further resources or to talk more please email Diane Mulroe, Director of Human Concerns at dmulroe@stmota.org
Managing Emotions and Self Care
Rush University Healthcare offers information on how to watch for signs of anxiety or depression, and navigating very complicated emotions in this ever-changing new normal. Also information on maintaining self care and combatting the effects of social isolation. Visit the Rush website to read more.
Archdiocese Grief Support Groups
If you have experienced loss during this difficult time online grief groups are here to help. Online grief group facilitators are present to listen and to guide each grief group in prayer and discussion. Ae click here to visit website. Or here for Printable flyer.
CDC – Managing Stress and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety about Covid-19 can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. The CDC offers helpful information to help people to manage stress and anxiety. Click here to visit the CDC site.
Click links below for additional mental health resources.
Parenting Support
Grandparents are uniquely positioned to offer spiritual and emotional support and have a Biblical mandate to do so. Visit The Legacy Coalition for helpful resources on grandparenting.
Your teen might be asking many questions. How can you make sure teenagers are informed just enough without feeling overwhelmed, yet also have accurate information? Click here for an article from Harvard Health to help with sharing information at home.
To help parents during this time of confinement, the World Health Organization has prepared six one-page documents for parents to help explain and work through this difficult time together. Click here to visit World Health Parenting Site.
Click links below for additional parenting support resources
Ministries at St. Mary
With the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, help with affording food is an issue for an increasing number of our neighbors. Saint Vincent de Paul Society offers help, and is collecting donations for a variety of needs within our community. For more information on the ways the society is helping, and ways you can help, visit the SVdP webpage by clicking the button below.
PADS Lake County is a community-based organization that provides trauma-informed support, resources, and shelter to individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis. As you know, St. Mary serves as a PADS site for Lake County. Due to the Covid-19 crises, the rotating shelter sites are closed and clients are being housed in hotels for their health and safety. PADS is in need of donations to meet this new challenge. Those able to help can use the button below to donate at the Lake County PADS website. You can also send monetary or gift card donations to the main office at: 1800 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085
Our sharing parish, Most Blessed Trinity, in Waukegan supports community members in need through their food pantry. You can donate to supporting the MBT food pantry by clicking the donate button below.
Local Support and Donations
Food banks are responding to COVID-19 by doing what they do best – feeding people in need. No one should go hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic. With school closures, job disruptions, and health risks, millions of Americans will turn to food banks for much-needed support and they need us now more than ever. Feeding America and our network of food banks are continuing to provide food to people in need during these times of uncertainty. They can’t do it alone and you can help. Learn more about how Feeding America is responding to this crisis.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides food and support throughout the Chicago area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our community faces unprecedented challenges. We’re hard at work responding to the increased need for food. Find food or support our response with a donation by clicking the button below.
The archdiocese has created a Coronavirus Emergency Fund to help alleviate the financial hardship caused by the outbreak. This fund will support ministries serving those in need and members of our community who have been negatively affected by the pandemic. Our neighbors down the street and across the archdiocese need our help at this critical moment.
Catholic Charities resource page highlights the latest information on COVID-19 from our national office and from Catholic Charities agencies across the network. Check out the latest news, advocacy efforts and stories from our ministry, along with general guidance from the federal government. Find help or donate to help those in need.
Prayer and other ways to help
As members of St. Mary’s parish faith community, it is our responsibility to remember in spiritual ways those among us who are ill in mind, body, or spirit. Visit the St. Mary Prayer Angel page by clicking the image above to sign up and receive emails and begin praying for fellow parishioners and for all those who are sick.
Volunteers from across the Archdiocese of Chicago who feel called to accompany anyone feeling the need to pray during this time of uncertainty and isolation. A phone line staffed with prayer partners from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, as well as 24-hour voicemail and e-mail connections. Click here or Call 312.741.3388
Cardinal Cupich has called all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Chicago to common prayer and the ringing of church bells five times a day. By pausing and lifting up in prayer all those affected by the pandemic, we can offer those in need our support and let them know that they are not alone. Click the image above for the intentions throughout the day.
