Your First Call for Help in Hard Times Feeling the pinch? Did you lose your job or are you worried you will? Struggling to get by and not sure where to turn? These days, many people find their income shrinking while their bills keep growing. We can help. If you are experiencing financial trouble or other difficulties, don’t wait to seek assistance. 2-1-1
A guide to dealing with a job loss or other financial struggles. This is a resource to help you navigate your options in central Maryland.
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Your First Call for Help in Hard Times
Feeling the pinch?
Did you lose your job or are you worried you will?
Struggling to get by and not sure where to turn?
These days, many people find their income shrinking while their bills keep growing.We can help. If you are experiencing financial trouble or otherdifficulties, don’t wait to seek assistance.
2-1-1
Help in Hard Times
United Way of Central Maryland has prepared this guide as a resource for people facing the loss of a job or coping with other financial struggles.
Help is available to see you through this difficult time, though finding it can seem intimidating and confusing. No matter what your situation, you are not alone.
This booklet is designed to guide you through the options you may have and offer suggestions for ways to get back on your feet.
Beyond the resources listed here, answers, guidance and a caring voice are always available through 2-1-1 Maryland at United Way of Central Maryland (formerly First Call for Help™). It’s free and confidential.
Because each situation is unique, you may find it helpful to talk with an expert to find the assistance that best suits your needs. 2-1-1 has information about everything from food, housing, health care, financialassistance and legal services to employment help, childcare, counseling, transportation, drug treatment and government programs, plus a lot more.
You can rely on our Information and Referral Specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Simply dial 2-1-1 or 410.685.0525 anytime you need help.Toll-free 1.800.492.0618 (statewide) TTY weekdays 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. 410.685.2159 (for hearing impaired) Visit www.211md.org to search for community resources.
Normal airtime and other charges apply for cell phone users.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Survival Plan: Take Charge of Your Life 5-7
Securing Your Finances: Government Financial Benefits Can Help 8-9
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Step 1: Prepare a Realistic Monthly Budget Withlessmoneycomingin,planningandstrictbudgetingwillbenecessarytomeetyourfinancialresponsibilities.Prepareyourbudgetassoonasyourincomechanges.Lookingatyourfinancialsituationonpaperisanessentialstepindecidingwhatexpensestoprioritizeandwillalsobeneededtoapplyforbenefits.Discussyourfinanceswitheveryoneinthehouseholdandworktogetherasateamtomanagethesituation.
MONTHLY INCOME should include: Incomeforallhouseholdmembers Savings Severancepay Unionstrikeassistance Unemploymentpayments TANF,foodstamps,SSI,childsupport, oranyotherbenefitpayments
Step 2: List AssetsTheseinvestmentsarepartofyourfinancialpictureeventhoughyoumaynothaveinstantaccesstothefunds.Avoidtappingtheseresourcesunlessyouhaveabsolutelynochoice.
Step 3: Prioritize your expenses Paymentsshouldbelistedinorderofimportance,sothatyourbasicneedsaresecureevenwhenmoneyisshort.Housingmightbefirstonyourlist,followedbyfood,utilities,medicalexpenses,transportationandchildsupport(ifapplicable).
Step 4: Make a Complete List of Your CreditorsIncludeinyourlistcreditors’names,addresses,accountnumbers,interestrates,totalamountowed,scheduledpaymentamountsandduedates.Trynottoletthecombinedpictureoverwhelmyou,itisasignalthatyouaretakingcontrolofyourfinancialproblems,notalistofpersonalfailures.This list will also be needed in applying for some kinds of assistance.
DON’T IGNORE YOUR MAIL! Though bills can seem like a nightmare when you have no money with which to pay them, do not ignore government agency inquiries or creditor requests for information. That only makes a difficult situation worse. If you do not understand notices or bills sent to you, call the person who sent the bill.
Keep full records of these transactions and phone communications:
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Step 5: Contact your creditors before you get behind Trytomakealternatepaymentarrangements.Contactingthemshowsagoodfaithefforttopay,andmostcreditorsdon'twanttogothroughthehassleandexpenseofchasingyouforpayments.Ifyoucannotpayeverything,paywhatyoucansothatyouroverduebalanceremainsaslowaspossible.Partialpaymentsmayalsokeepyouraccountfrombeingturnedovertoacollectionagency.
Step 6: Stay in Touch with CreditorsAfteryourfirstletter,keepinregularcontactwithyourcreditors.Thisreassuresthem,showsthatyouhavearesponsiveattitudeandmaykeepthemfromharassingyou.
Step 7: Stop Using Credit Tryandstopusingyourcreditcards.Onegoodstrategyistoputtheminadrawerandleavethemathome.Creditcardinterestratesareextremelyhigh,whichmeansyoupaytwiceforthetemporaryuseofthatmoney.Ifyouhaveanymeanstodoso,trytomakelargerpaymentstoreducethebalanceyouowe--thelargeryoubalance,thefasteritgrows.Theremaybedesperatetimeswhenacreditcardisyouronlyoption,butitshouldbeviewedasanemergencyratherthanalong-termsolution.
Ifyouhaveseriouscreditcarddebt,considertalkingtoanonprofitdebtmanagementprogram,suchasConsumer Credit Counseling Services of Maryland and Delaware, Inc. (CCCS).
Step 9: Sell Things You Don’t NeedAgaragesalemaynetafewdollarsandhelpyoucleanoutyourattic,andwhileyouareunemployedyoumayhavetimetomakeitworthwhile.ResearchonlineauctionsiteslikeeBay,consignmentshopsorsecondhandstores,ifyouhavejewelry,electronicsorotherhigher-valueitemstosell.Ifyouhavemorethanonecar,thinkaboutdownsizing.Itmightbetimetoselltheboat,trailerorrecreationalvehicleyourarelyuse.Itmaybepossibletoletsomeitemsgowithoutreallychangingthewayyoulive.
…andmostimportantly
Step 10: Take Care of Yourself. Payattentiontoyourhealth.Livingwithstresscancauseillnessatthetimeyoucanleastaffordtreatment.Eatnutritiouslyandgetplentyofsleepandexercise.Maketimeforleisureandrecreation.Familiarizeyourselfwithavailablelow-costhealthandmentalhealthservicesbeforeanyseriousproblemsdevelop.Seethe“CounselingToHelpYouThrough”sectionattheendofthisbookletforplacesthatoffertheseservices.
Government Financial Benefits Can HelpResearchingthefinancialbenefitsforwhichyouareeligibleiscrucialintakingcontrolofyoursituation.Thepublicbenefitssystem,whichincludesprogramslikeTemporaryCashAssistance(TCA),FoodStampsandMedicalAssistance,canbeveryconfusingandoftenfrustrating.
Bereadytonavigateacomplexsystemofprogramsandagenciesandbepreparedtofight for your rights.Itisnotuncommontoexperienceproblemswhenapplyingforbenefits,andattimesitmaynotseemworththeeffort.Stayfocused,bepatientanddonotletthisdiscourageyou.Manypeoplefeelembarrassedtoaskforgovernmentaid,butyouabsolutelydeservehelptoseeyouthroughthistoughtime.Governmentassistanceprogramsarefundedthroughmoneywithheldfromyourpaycheckwhileyouareworking.Youhaveearnedtherighttoreceiveassistanceinyourowntimeoffinancialdifficulty.
people and connect them to all the benefits for which
they might be eligible. Trained counselors sit down
one-on-one with clients and show you how to
navigate the systems using an online screening tool.
Call 2-1-1 to find an EarnBenefits counselor or go to
http://baltimore.earnbenefits.org
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Public Assistance ProgramsEachcountyinMarylandhasaDepartmentofSocialServices(DSS)thatadministersavarietyofpublicassistanceprogramsdesignedtohelppeoplewhoarehavingproblemsmeetingtheirbasicneeds.Whilerequirementsarestrict,youmayqualifyforbenefitsevenifyouownahomeoracar.
Women, Infants & Children Supplementary Food Program (WIC) WICisaprogramdesignedforlow-incomepregnantorbreast-feedingwomenandtheirchildrenunderfiveyearsofage.Thebenefitsincludesupplementalfoodvouchersandanutritionalprogram.Eligibilityisdeterminedbyincomeguidelines.Call2-1-1ortheWICappointmentline410.396.9427(BaltimoreCity)or1.800.242.4WIC(statewide)todetermineifyoumightbeeligible.
Family Investment Program (FIP) provides Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)tolow-incomefamilieswithchildren.FIPhasafive-yearlifetimelimitforbenefits.Clientsarerequiredtoparticipateinworkortrainingactivitiesforaminimumof30hoursaweekinexchangefortemporarycashassistance,childcare,training,emergencyassistanceandmedicalassistance.
Emergency Assistance to Families with Children (EAFC)providesemergencycashassistance(grants)toassistwithcourt-orderedevictions,mortgages,utilitycut-offsandburialassistance.Itmaybeusedonlyonceina12-monthperiod.
How to Apply For AssistanceS.A.I.L.(ServiceAccessandInformationLink)isanonlinetoolthatallowspeopletocheckiftheyareeligibleandapplyformanypublicassistanceprograms:TemporaryCashAssistance(TCA),FoodStamps,TemporaryDisabilityAssistanceProgram(TDAP),MedicalAssistanceforchildrenandadultsandotherprograms.
NOTE: The information in this section was correct as of January 2011. However, new government and non-profit programs are still being developed to address the current housing crisis. Please be advised that changes to these laws and procedures are likely.
A nonprofit housing counselor can guide you through the best options currently available to you. Please call 2-1-1 for referral, or call the Maryland Hope Hotline at 1.877.462.7555.
Avoiding ForeclosureWhat Happens if I Miss a Mortgage Payment?Afteryoumissonepaymentyouareindefaultandmayreceivea“deficiencynotice”fromyourlender.Ifyoumissseveralpayments,youmaygeta“noticeofdefault”whichexplainshowmuchyouoweandadvisesyouthatforeclosuremaybeapossibility.Foreclosureproceedingscanlegallybeginwhenyouhavenotpaidyourmortgagefor90days.
Help with your Mortgage Payments Generally,housinglendersdonotwanttoforecloseonamortgage.Therearerarelywinnersinaforeclosurebecauseofthecostsinvolved.Trytoworkoutapaymentplanwithyourlenderuntilyouarebetterofffinancially.AsthegovernmentreactstotheforeclosurecrisisthatmanyAmericansareexperiencing,moreandmoreoptionsarelikelytobecomeavailabletohelpyouworkoutawaytostayinyourhome.Thekeyistoaskforhelpearlyandpersistently.
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A Nonprofit Housing Counselor May Be Able to Help You Keep Your HomeFreeandconfidentialforeclosurepreventionassistanceisavailableinmanylocationsacrossMaryland.Housingcounselorscanhelpyouunderstandyourmortgagedocuments,explaintheoptionsyouhaveandhelpyounegotiatea“WorkoutPlan”withyourlender.Cometotheappointmentpreparedwithsettlementpaperwork,taxreturnsandanynoticesorinvoicesfromyourlender,alongwithyourhouseholdbudgetandlistofcreditors.
• Partial Claim (available only for an FHA loan)-Thelendermayofferaninterest-freeloantocatchupthearrearage.Theloanisduewhenyousellthepropertyorwhenyoupayoffyourfirstmortgage.
• Recast Plan (not available with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac)-Youputmissedpaymentsattheback
Therearealsomanypeoplewhowanttotakeadvantageofdesperatehomeownerslookingforhelp,sobesmartandbeware!Donotseekassistancethroughacompanythatadvertisesthroughflyersontelephonepolesandmedianstrips.Somescamartistslurehomeownersintosigningtheirdeedoverandthentakethehomeforthemselvesandotherschargeenormousfeeswithoutdeliveringanyservicesatall.Don’tsignanydocumentswithoutfirstgettingobjectivelegaladvice.If you feel you have been the victim of a real estate predator, you can report this to Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation, at www.dllr.state.md.us, or by calling 1.888.784.0136.
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Angel Food Ministries is a food cooperative program that sells boxes of food at $30 per box. One box is designed to feed a family of four for about a week or a senior citizen for about a month. Boxes include fresh and frozen items. There are no eligibility requirements.
SHARE (Self Help and Resource Exchange) Phone 301.864.3115Toll-free 1.800.21.SHARE (1.800.217.4273)
SHARE is a food cooperative program with no eligibility criteria other than the desire to participate. SHARE provides meats, produce and groceries for about half the retail value of the food. There are many distribution sites across Maryland. For $19 and two hours of volunteer time you will receive approximately $40-$45 worth of food. You can volunteer for the program itself, for another helping organization, at your child’s school or even just help a neighbor.
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TheMaryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)isafederallyfundedprogramthatassistswithwinterheatingcosts,availableonlyonceayear.
TheElectrical Universal Service Program (EUSP)isalsoaonceayeargranttoassistpeoplewiththecostofelectricity.
Bothgrantshavespecificmaximumhouseholdincomeguidelinesinordertobeeligible.IfyouqualifyforMEAP,youmayalsobeeligiblefortheUtility Service Protection Program (USPP)assistance.USPPpaysyourMEAPgrantdirectlytoyourutilitycompany,therebyreducingtheamountofyourmonthlypayment.Formoreinformation,contactoneoftheofficeslistedonthenextpage,orvisitwww.marylandsail.org.
Anne Arundel County, DSS 410.269.4500 Baltimore City, DSS 443.423.6300 Baltimore County, DSS 410.853.3000 Carroll County, DSS 410.386.3300 Harford County, DSS 410.836.4700 Howard County, DSS 410.872.8700
Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP) Provideslimitedcashgrantsmonthlytosingle,physicallydisabledadultsforemergencyneedssuchasrent,prescriptionsandmedicalexpenses.ApplyatyourlocalDepartmentofSocialServicesoffice.
U.S. Social Security Administration SocialSecurityadministratesSupplementalSecurityIncome(SSI),disabilitybenefitsandMedicare.Italsoadministerssurvivorbenefits,includingalumpsumdeathpaymentforsurvivorsofthoseinsuredbySocialSecurityandbenefitsforchildrenwhoareunderage18ordisabledandhavehadoneorbothparentsdie.
Maryland Access Point (MAP)Providesinformationandassistanceforadultsovertheageof50,personsovertheageof18withadisability,andfamilyandcaregiverswhoarelookingforservicestoassistwithremaininginthecommunityandleadingfulllives.Informationandassistanceisavilabletoindividualsofallincomelevelsinneedofservicestohelpthemremainindependent,orwhowanttoplanforthefuture.
Ifyouneedinformationaboutyourrightsasadebtororotherconsumerinformation,call:Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s OfficeHours9a.m-3p.m.MondaythroughFriday;call410.528.8662.
Send written consumer complaints to:Complaint Handling Unit Consumer Protection Division 200St.PaulPlace,16thFloorBaltimore,MD21202
For work-related issues: Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Division of Labor and Industry Phone:410.767.2441Provides information on work-related issues such as workers’ rights, unfair dismissal and discrimination at the workplace.
Employment Standards ServicesPhone:410..767.2357Investigates complaints concerning alleged violations of the Wage Payment and Collection Law. Provides information and referrals on wage and employment laws in Maryland.
General Legal Advice and CounselMaryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Baltimorearea410.547.6537Statewide1.800.510.0050Provideslegalservicestopersonswhofallwithinincomeguidelinesandcanoftengiveadvicetothosewhoareoverthelimit.ItdoesNOTacceptcasesinvolvingdrugs,weaponspossession,orspecialeducationstudents.However,someoftheissuesMVLSmightworkoninclude:
Legal Aid BureauLegalAidprovidesfreelegalassistancetolow-incomeandelderlypersonsthroughlocalofficesthroughoutthestate.Theymaybeabletohelpwithmostcivil(non-criminal)legalproblems.Someoftheareaswheretheycangiveassistanceincludefamilyanddomesticcases,childreninneedofassistance(CINA),housingproblems,publicbenefitsandconsumerproblems.LegalAidalsoassistslow-incomeolderadultswithbenefitproblems,landlord/tenantissues,bankruptcy,utilityturn-offs,employmentissuesandnursinghomeproblems.
Legal Aid Bureau Offices
AnneArundelCountyOffice 410.263.8330
BaltimoreCityOffice 410.951.7777
BaltimoreCountyOffice 410.427.1800
HarfordCountyOffice 410.836.8202
HowardCountyOffice 410.480.1057
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Take an Inventory Thisisaperfecttimetotakealookatyourtalents,skillsandexperiencesandseewhatdirectiontheypoint.Youmaywanttoenlistalovedonetoidentifystrengthsanddeficitsthatyoucan’tsee.Thetotalpictureofwhoyouareasaprofessionalmaysurpriseyou.
Itmayhelptomakesomelists:
What skills have you developed on the job? Listingeachpreviousjobmayhelpyouorganizeyourthoughts.Thinkofskills,notresponsibilities.
What skills have you developed outside of work?Thinkaboutwhatyouhavelearnedasavolunteer,intern,teammember,groupparticipant,parentandfriend.Listyourhobbiesandtheskillsyouhavedevelopedtoenjoythem.
How do you work? Whatareyourleadershipandcommunicationstyles?Whatworkhabits,values,attitudesandpreferencesdoyoubringtothejob?Howdoyoulearnbest?Whatworktasksbestsuityournatureandyourpersonality?
What are your limitations? Identifytimesthatyoudidn’taccomplishthejobthewayyouwantedto.Isthereacommontheme?Aretheseskillsyoucanlearn,oraretheresometasksyoushouldjustavoid?Whatobstaclesmightkeepyoufrombeinganidealemployee?
What do you need? Howmuchmoneydoyouideallyneedtomaintainyourcurrentstandardofliving?Whatistheleastamountyoucanaccept?Howmanyhourscanyouwork?Whatbenefitsaremostessentialforyourlife?
Hit the LibraryThelocallibraryisyourbestfriendasajobseeker.Thelibraryisaterrificsourceforjoblistingsviacity-wideandspecialinterestnewspapers,tradepapersandprofessionaljournals.Itmayevenkeepabankofjoblistingsasacommunityservice.
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Learn to SurfTocompetewithalltheotherjobseekersinourcurrenteconomy,youwillneedtousebothtraditionalandinnovativemethodstofindoutwhoishiring.TheInternetisavaluabletool,butitcanbeintimidatingtopickthroughsuchatremendousamountofinformation.IfyouwanttoimproveyourInternetsaviness,findafriendwhocangiveyouguidanceorlookforatrainingclassatalocalcommunitycenter,library,jobtrainingcenter,communitycollegeorseniorcenter.
Tell the World You’re Out ThereNetworkingisoneofthemosteffectivewaystogethired,researchshows.Telleveryoneyouknowthatyouarelookingforworkandwhatkindofjobyouwant.Yourunionorprofessionalassociatescanbepricelessresources.Talkwithyourfriends,relativesandacquaintances–youmightdiscoverthatsomeoneatyourchurchoranoldclassmateoryourneighbor’sfriend’ssisterislookingtohireaqualityemployeeinyourchosenfield.
Get NoticedDeveloparésuméofyourskills,educationandworkhistory.Evenifyouarelookingforworkinafieldwherearésuméisnotcustomary,compiletheinformationanduseittofilloutapplicationsneatlyandthoroughly.Includevolunteerwork,certifications,training,anyawardsorhonorsyouhavereceivedandalistofatleastthreereferences.Besurethatyoucontactthepeopleyouwouldliketorecommendyouandhaveasenseofwhattheymightsay.
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Ace the Interview Thepurposeofarésuméissimplytogetyouaninterviewwhereyouwillreallyhaveachancetoshine.Makesureyouarewellpreparedfortheinterview.Youranswerswillbemorefocusedandyouwillfeellessnervous.
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What Services Do Employment Assistance Centers Offer?Counseling Tominimizethehardshipsyoumayfaceduringthisperiod,personalandfinancialcounselingmaybeprovidedalongwithcareercounseling.
Assessment and Testing Anevaluationofyourcurrentworkskillstodetermineyourcapabilitiesandtrainingneedsmaybeavailable.
Support Services Manytimes,individualsneedassistancetomeetdailychildcaredemands,transportationcostsandotherbasicmaintenanceneeds.Askaboutservicesthatmaybeavailabletohelpindividualsstayintrainingprogramsorkeepanewlyacquiredjob.
Anne Arundel CountyGlen Bernie One-Stop Career Center7480Baltimore-AnnapolisBoulevardGlenBernie,MD21061Phone:410.424.3240
Community Resource Center 80WestStreetAnnapolis,MD21401Phone:410.269.4429
Arnold Station1460RitchieHighway,Suite205Arnold,MD21012Phone:410.793.5635
Center at Arundel Mills7000ArundelMillsCircleHanover,MD21076Phone:410.777.1845
Baltimore CityMaryland State Job Service (Baltimore Works) 1100N.EutawStreet,Room101Baltimore,MD21201Phone:410.767.2148
Northwest Career Center MondawminMall2401LibertyHeightsAvenue,Suite302Baltimore,MD21215Phone:410.523.1030
One-Stop Career Center 3001MadisonStreetBaltimore,MD21205Phone:410.396.9030
Baltimore County Eastpoint Workforce Development Center7930EasternBoulevardBaltimore,MD21224Phone:410.288.9050
Office of Workforce Development105ChesapeakeAvenue,Suite300Towson,MD21204Phone:410.887.2008
Workforce Development Center11101McCormickRoad,Suite102HuntValley,MD21031Phone:410.887.7940
Carroll County Business & Employement Resource 224NorthCenterStreetWestminster,MD21157Phone:410.386.2820
Harford County Aberdeen Workforce Center 34NorthPhiladelphiaBlvd.,3rdFloor-AberdeenCommunityServiceBuildingAberdeen,MD21001Phone:410.272.5400
Bel Air Workforce Center2S.BondStreet,2ndFloor-MaryRisteanBuildingBelAir,MD21014Phone:410.836.4603
Howard County Columbia Workforce Center 7161ColumbiaGatewayDrive,SuiteDColumbia,MD21046Phone:410.290.2600
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Anne Arundel Crisis ResponseAffiliated Sante Group24-hour Warmline 410.768.5522Trainedcrisiscounselorsevaluateeachcaller'ssituationandmakereferralstoappropriatehelpingorganizations.Amobilecrisisunit(ateamofmentalhealthprofessionals)isavailabletogotoacaller'slocationtoassesshis/hersituation.
Baltimore City Crisis Response 24-hour Hotline 410.433.5175Provides24-hourinformationandreferralhotlinetoadults,ages18andolder,whoareexperiencingamentalhealthcrisis.Mobilecrisisteamconsistsofmentalhealthprofessionalsandcaseassociateswhorespondtoemergencymentalhealthcrisessevendaysaweekfrom8a.m.to10p.m.
Baltimore County Crisis Response 24-hour Hotline 410.913.2214 A24-hourlisteningservicethatprovidessupportandoffersresourcesrangingfromoutpatientproviderstocrisisbedsandhospitalization,aswellasnon-mentalhealthresources.Providesbrief,crisisstabilizationservicesinhomeMonday-Friday.MobileCrisisTeamworkswiththecountypolicetoassess,triageandstabilizesituationsinvolvingmentalhealthissues.
Mobile Crisis of Harford County Hotline: 410.638.5248Providesemergencymentalhealthassessments,referralstomentalhealthresources,hospitaladmissions,criticalincidentstressmanagementservices(ifrequired)andurgentpsychiatricappointments(ifneeded).
Howard County, Grassroots Crisis Intervention Hotline: 410.531.6677 Maryland Crisis Hotline 1.800.422.0009GrassrootsCrisisprovidesa24-hourcrisisinterventionandreferralhotlineandwalk-incounselingtoanyone.Certifiedsuicidepreventioncenter.
Other counseling resources:Family & Children’s Services of Central Maryland Phone 410.366.1980Providesservicestofamiliestohelpwithparent/childissues,singleparenthood,childsexualabuse,familyviolence,teenparenting,relationshipdisruptionandeldercare/care-giving.
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Counseling To Help You Through
The Family Tree Phone: 410.889.2300 Family Stressline: 1.800.243.7337 Provides24-hourcrisisinterventioninformationandreferralsforparents,teens,children,teachers,parentsanonymoussupportgroups,positiveparentingprograms,children’sprogramsandmore.Committedtoeliminatingchildabuseandneglectbysupporting,educatingandnurturingindividuals,familiesandcommunities.
Core Service AgenciesYourlocalmentalhealthagencycanprovideinformationaboutmentalhealthservicesinyourarea.
AnneArundelCountyMentalHealthAgency 410.222.7858
BaltimoreMentalHealthSystems 410.837.2647
BaltimoreCountyBureauofMentalHealth 410.887.3828
CarrollCountyHealthDepartment 410.857.5000
CoreServiceAgencyofHarfordCounty 410.803.8726
HowardCountyMentalHealthAuthority 410.313.7350
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If you have thoughts of killing yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline1.800.273.TALK It’s anonymous and confidential, 24 hours a day. You deserve help. Don’t give up.
Take it One Day at a Time.Setsmallandspecificgoals.Trynottoblameyourselfforlosingyourjob–“reframe”theeventasalearningexperienceandforgiveyourself.Usepositiveself-affirmationtosoothedifficultmoments:“Icanhandlethis,Iamagoodpersongoingthroughahardtime,IamdoingthebestIcaninbadcircumstances”.Makesmallpromisestoyourselfandkeepthem.
Have Some Fun.TherearemanyrecreationalactivitiesthatofferfreeorlowcostentertainmentavailableincentralMaryland.Checkyourlocalnewspaperortheinternetforannouncementsofupcomingevents;callyourlocallibrary,communitycenter,orparksandrecreationdepartmentinyourcounty.
Be with Your Loved Ones.Thiscanbeanimportantchancetoreconnectwiththepeoplewhomeanthemosttoyou.Enjoyeachothers’company,makeanefforttoplaygamesandhavefun.Behonestaboutyourworriesandtaketimetolistentotheirfears.Theproblemsyouarefacingaffectthemtoo--evensmallchildrencansensetensioninthefamily,anditwillbearelieftoeveryonetogetitoutinopen.Rallythetroopsandsticktogether.Volunteeryourtimetoacommunityproject.Volunteeringmayturnouttobethesteppingstonetoanewjob,aswellasboostyourself-worthbyhelpingsomeoneelse.
Get Support.Stayintouchwithfriendsandrelatives.Letthemknowhowyouaredoingregularly,andaskforthehelpyouneed.Talktoacounselororspiritualleaderifyoufeellikeyou’relosinghope.Sometimesthehealthiestthingyoucandoittoletpeopletakecareofyou.
These self-care tips were reviewed and endorsed by Pat Hanberry, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Frederick County.
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Dial 2-1-1 to find the help you need.If you cannot reach us through 2-1-1: Greater Baltimore area 410.685.0525 Toll-free 1.800.492.0618 (statewide)
TTY 410.685.2159 weekdays 8:30am-4:45pm (for hearing impaired) or visit www.211md.org