Tidewell’s Community Hope Line available to help deal with life’s challenges during COVID-19 outbreak

Helping people live well is Tidewell’s mission. That mission is no more front and center than during the most difficult periods of life like the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is afflicting our entire country.

This crisis has exacted an enormous toll on public health, taxing healthcare organizations scrambling to meet the demands of thousands of sick people. But the outbreak also has had a negative effect on the emotional health of many people in the communities Tidewell serves.

Tidewell Hospice is in a unique situation to offer help during this time of fear and uncertainty. Our interdisciplinary care teams include social workers and chaplains who are trained to provide support for people facing the biggest challenges of their lives. Tidewell’s Grief Education and Support Center provides free grief counseling to all residents of our four-county service area, whether or not they have a previous relationship with Tidewell. Tidewell’s free grief services are 100 percent supported by donor contributions.

To help meet the emotional-health needs of our communities, Tidewell is offering the Tidewell Community Hope Line. The Community Hope Line number is 855-930-HOPE (4673) or 941-556-HOPE (4673) and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Community Hope Line also is available to Spanish-speaking callers. (La Línea de Esperanza para La Comunidad esta disponible en Español.) Community Hope Line staff also is available via email at communityhope@tidewell.org.

This is not a crisis hotline but a “hope” line for people who need help dealing with today’s challenges. For psychiatric or medical emergencies, people should call 911.

“For 40 years Tidewell has been helping the community during times of challenge, grief and loss,” Tidewell President and CEO Jonathan Fleece said. “The COVID-19 pandemic is creating unprecedented emotional-health issues for our society, including isolation, anxiety, stress and grief. Many family members are disconnected from their loved one during end of life due to government and public health requirements, which is incredibly difficult. In response to the community’s growing and vital needs, Tidewell has created the Community Hope Line to serve people throughout the COVID-19 crisis. I want to thank Tidewell’s support teams who have developed this innovative program that will serve many.”

Following are the services available for callers through the Community Hope Line:

• GRIEF SUPPORT – If a caller has lost a loved one to COVID-19, been separated from loved ones due to hospital or facility lockdowns or is in need of a reassuring voice during this anxious and isolating time, the Hope Line offers caring professionals to listen. No one needs to face this pandemic alone. Grief specialists are available to provide grief education and emotional support. Trained grief professionals can support callers over the phone or via a Zoom video conferencing session.
• SPIRITUAL SUPPORT – Throughout many times in life, many find it helpful to reach out to faith leaders and spiritual elders. Regardless of where a caller is or what his or her background may be, the Hope Line offers the opportunity to speak to a chaplain. The chaplains at Tidewell are all non-denominational, ordained and clinically trained to walk with you wherever you are on your journey.
• SOCIAL SUPPORT – Social workers at Tidewell see themselves as problem solvers. The coronavirus and the resulting stay-at-home order have caused people to lose jobs, face financial problems, experience childcare concerns and suffer shortages of certain necessities. Though they cannot provide direct financial support, Tidewell social workers can connect callers with community resources available to help them navigate this new normal.

Tidewell is honored to provide this additional level of support to the communities we serve during this difficult time. The Hope Line will be available until the coronavirus outbreak has run its course. To make a contribution to support the free grief services please contact philanthropy@tidewell.org or 941-552-7650.