

April 4, 2020

Dear Friends, As the ever-growing effects of the coronavirus continue to impact our Capital Region, state, nation and world, I would like to share the wide array of resources available to you, as well as a few updates on the steps my office and I are taking to help inform and protect our community. On Wednesday evening, I hosted a telephone town hall with local health care and economic development leaders to discuss the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and offer resources available to individuals and small businesses in the Capital Region. More than 6,000 of you tuned in to hear updates and ask questions of my office and our knowledgeable panel of local experts. These questions ranged from how to increase access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies for our frontline medical professionals; which individuals can apply for unemployment; who will receive rebate checks; how to improve our national response to COVID-19 and more. I encourage you to visit my webpage at Tonko.house.gov/coronavirus for additional updates and resources. I thank all those who called in, tuned in online, emailed questions, shared their experiences and asked insightful questions. In order for our state and nation to fully address and overcome this public health crisis, we must all stay informed and work together to help safeguard our communities. On a similar note, it is important that you are aware of the mental health resources available during this unprecedented time of fear and anxiety. I have long fought for improved mental health services and, in this crisis, the need is growing even more critical. That is why I fought for funding to address the mental health impacts of this pandemic. As a result, the CARES Act included a $425 million provision for emergency mental health and substance use services, including $50 million for suicide prevention programs.

As I continue to work with my colleagues to fight for funding to expanded mental health services, many resources are currently available to you and your loved ones:



Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a number of guidelines for coping with a disaster or traumatic event, which can be found here. These tips call for all of us to: Take care of your body

Connect with others while also staying safe and practicing social distancing

Take breaks and make time to do activities you enjoy

Stay informed with updates from reliable sources

Avoid too much exposure to news

Seek help when needed

The CDC also provides guidelines for helping children cope with emergencies.



With the CDC recommending that those 65 and older stay home if possible and nursing homes and hospitals across the state being closed to visitors, AARP has provided suggestions on how to fight social isolation caused by the coronavirus.



The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has provided tips for taking care of your emotional health, which can be found here.



SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7, 365-days-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.



The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also provides around-the-clock, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources. If you or someone you know needs help, please call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The New York State Office of Mental Health has developed a COVID-19 resources page for any New Yorkers who are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, in addition to an Emotional Support Line: 1-844-863-9314. The Help Line provides free, confidential support and is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling. These are just some of the many resources available to provide support to you and your family during these difficult times. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, my office stands ready to assist however we can. The path will not be easy, but I am convinced that, by working together, we will endure and come out a stronger, more united country. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, my office stands ready to assist however we can. While the coming days will not be easy, I am confident in our ability to overcome this crisis together and that we will grow into a stronger, more united country.



As always, thank you for reading.



Your friend,



