Our Coronavirus Response
Our Mental Health Services
Are Available via telehealth
At The Women’s Initiative our goal is to provide as much support as we safely can during the coronavirus pandemic. We are providing all of our vital mental health services through phone and video options (telehealth). We are now also offering a limited number of in-person individual counseling sessions. Call (434) 872-0047 to learn more.
Access to Telehealth
at our Main Office
Are concerns about privacy or issues with technology preventing you from accessing our telehealth services from your home? You can come to our Main Office to access telehealth with a computer in a private space. COVID-19 safety measures will be in place.
For more information, call or email our Client Support Specialist at (434) 872-0047 or info@thewomensinitiative.org.
Call-in Clinic Hours
Mondays: 10 am-12 pm.
Thursdays: 5-7 pm.
For Spanish speakers/Para las mujeres Latinas: Wednesdays/Los Miércoles: 2-4 pm
Free Call-in Clinics
Our Call-in Clinics offer one-on-one sessions with a counselor over the phone, free of charge, during our call-in clinic hours. These sessions are designed to offer immediate, short-term assistance including:
Eligibility screenings for individual counseling and other services
Self-care assessment
Planning
Referral services
Education
Emotional support
Interested in the Call-in Clinic? Click here to get started.
Individual counseling
If you are interested in counseling at The Women’s Initiative, contact us during one of our Call-in Clinics. You will have the opportunity to speak confidentially with a therapist to create a plan of care, which may include individual counseling with us or one of our community partners. If you have sufficient mental health insurance coverage, we will help you connect to a private provider in our community who can best meet your needs.
Interested in in-person counseling? As vaccination rates increase and community spread decreases, we are also beginning to offer a limited number of individual counseling sessions in person inside our Main Office. Please note that wait times for this service may be longer than for care via telehealth, and all intakes will still take place via our Call-in Clinic. Call us at (434) 872-0047 to learn more.
Support Groups and Other Offerings
Group offerings are currently available either online or outdoors. Click here to see the current list of offerings. And stay tuned for new offerings by subscribing to our e-newsletter and following us on these social media platforms:
Nuestros Servicios están disponibles
El objectivo de la Iniciativa para la Mujer durante la pandemia del virus Corona es proveer todo el apoyo que podamos de forma segura. Nuestros servicios de terapia seguirán disponibles mediante la vía telefónica o video terapia. Comenzaremos a ofrecer un número limitado de sesiones de terapia individual en persona en nuestras oficinas a partir del 15 de abril de 2021.
Mental Health Resources
The coronavirus outbreak is putting a tremendous strain on all of us. But there are steps we can all be taking to care for ourselves, inside and out. Check out our tips for reducing stress—we recommend reading them out loud with a loved one in your home or over the phone.
Tips for Reducing Stress During Coronavirus
Get the facts about the virus but make sure to take media breaks. Our local health department is a reliable source for information
Reduce anxiety with healthy actions that make you feel safer, like good handwashing, social distancing and having a plan for if someone in your household gets sick.
Keep a schedule, and make time to do activities that you enjoy, like journaling, exercise, creating art, or being in nature.
Notice worrisome thoughts and interrupt them by focusing on your five senses or talking to a loved one.
Make time to unwind, and remember that strong feelings will pass.
Take care of your body. Practice deep breathing, stretching, or meditation, and maintain good sleep and eating habits.
Stay connected by phone and virtual means, and share how you are feeling with someone you trust.
Printable Mental Health Tips for Coronavirus
Other mental health services in our community
24/7 Crisis Support
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
Region Ten Emergency Services: (434) 972-1800
Live Chat services available through Lifeline Chat
Trans Lifeline Peer Support: (877) 565-8860
The Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition is a hub of information about mental health and substance use services in our area.
Sister Circle Resources
Stay Connected with Sister Circle
Current Virtual Offerings: See the Sister Circle Page
Sister Circle Newsletter: During the coronavirus pandemic, Sister Circle is sending out a weekly e-newsletter with wellness tips for Black women. To receive this newsletter, email sistercircle@thewomensinitiative.org
To learn more about the Sister Circle Program, click here.
From the Central Virginia Clinicians of Color Network:
Other Community Resources
Street Sheet: Periodically updated database about local resources for individuals in Charlottesville and Albemarle during the pandemic.
TWI in the News
The coronavirus has a significant impact on our community’s mental health. It is our goal to ensure that accurate, empowering information about mental health reaches the diverse communities that we serve.
If you are with the media and would like to interview a member of The Women’s Initiative staff about the mental health impact of coronavirus, please contact Amanda Korman, Communications Manager, at akorman@thewomensinitiative.org.
Help us Provide Free, vital mental health care
The generous support of concerned community members makes our work possible. Please donate today. Help us bring free, vital, life-saving mental health services to those in need. Learn more.