Telehealth Line Offers Support for People with Developmental Disabilities

Do you or someone you support feel confused, fearful, depressed?  The Covid-19 Pandemic has had a major impact on people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers.   Some individuals with IDD have lost contact with program and community service providers, leaving them feeling isolated.

Stony Brook University and The ARC of California have initiated Project Connect.  This is a free 24-hour support line for people with disabilities and those who support them.  Jordon Lindsey, Executive Director of  The ARC of California, said, “ Going into the pandemic, we were aware that people with disabilities would be experiencing greater levels of stress, fear, and depression; and coupled with a well-documented provider shortage for mental health services, we felt the need to develop an open line of communication for our community as a safety net during this challenging time.”

Project Connect is a telehealth support line that is staffed by graduate students in the Stony Brook School of Social Welfare.  The students are supervised by licensed social workers and offer services such as counseling, wellness checks, depression screening and referrals to community services.  The helpline is nationwide and available 24-hours, 7 days a week.  The number is 1-888-847-3209.

The benefits of Project Connect are two-fold as it not only supports people with disabilities, those manning the telehealth lines are receiving valuable counseling experience and know that all who connect can be supported through this difficult time.

Making time for mental health is important!  Individual’s with IDD and their teams are not alone thanks to Project Connect.  1-888-847-3209 may be the line to give hope and light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.