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Para información sobre los cambios a nuestros servicios en español durante la pandemia del virus Corona, favor de hacer un clic aqui
April 1, 2020
Letter from our Executive Director: Support is available during coronavirus
Dear friends,
At The Women’s Initiative our goal continues to be to provide as much support as we safely can during the coronavirus outbreak. Following the direction of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, we will be keeping our offices closed through at least Wednesday, June 10. But please know that our vital mental health services are still available:
Our therapists are seeing clients through telehealth (phone and video chat)
Our Call-in Clinics are available—click here to learn more
Managing Stress
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. Charlottesville Tomorrow recently featured our tips for reducing stress as part of their coronavirus coverage. These tips are below—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.
Additionally, if your household or someone you know is in financial need because of the pandemic, funds are available through our local community foundation.
The Women’s Initiative is committed to ensuring that mental health care is available during this challenging time. Our community has many strengths, and we will get through this together.
Much love,
Elizabeth Irvin, LCSW
Executive Director, The Women’s Initiative
March 26, 2020
Community fund for households experiencing financial hardship
One way our community is coming together to care for one another is this fund for anyone experiencing financial hardship. Click on flyers below in English and Spanish for more information.
Additionally, a wide variety of ways to give and get help in our region are available at SupportCville.com.
March 20, 2020
C’Ville Tomorrow explores Mental Health Impact
C’Ville Tomorrow spoke to our Executive Director Elizabeth Irvin, LCSW, for expert advice about how the coronavirus is impacting mental health, and strategies for reducing stress. Read the full story.
March 16, 2020
Dear friends,
As a primary provider of mental health care for our community, it is our goal to provide as much support as we safely can during the outbreak of Coronavirus/COVID-19. The Women’s Initiative is now moving to providing individual counseling through telehealth and other programming virtually. This goes into effect today, Monday, March 16, through at least Monday, April 6.
Clients currently in counseling can contact their therapist or our Client Support Specialist at (434) 872-0047 to create a temporary telehealth plan.
Our walk-in clinics will be shifting to "phone-in clinics" starting this Wednesday. This will mean that rather than coming to our office, individuals can speak with a counselor confidentially over the phone during walk-in times. As we make this transition there will be no walk-in hours this Monday or Tuesday, March 16-17. Please check our walk-in clinic page for details.
As of today all of our in-person groups and mind-body offerings are suspended. Follow our website, Facebook and Instagram for tools and resources for staying connected and practicing mind-body skills from home.
Caring for our health means remembering physical as well as mental health. Our local Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition created this flyer of tips to reduce stress during this time, and I encourage you to share it with friends and family.
The Women's Initiative is committed, as ever, to supporting our community during times of challenge and change. Learn more by staying in touch with us online or reaching out by phone, (434) 872-0047.
Much love,
Elizabeth Irvin, LCSW
Executive Director, The Women's Initiative
March 15, 2020
Our local Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition created this flyer with tips for reducing stress during the outbreak of coronavirus/COVID-19. Take a look:
March 11, 2020
Dear friends,
I am writing to update you about how The Women’s Initiative is responding to the rapidly changing public health needs around coronavirus. As an agency our priority is the well-being of clients, volunteers and staff.
For clients: At this time The Women’s Initiative remains open. If it becomes necessary, we may suspend some offerings or close our offices, in which case we would look for ways to provide care to clients by phone. Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information.
In the meantime, if you are exhibiting any symptoms of physical illness, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, contact your medical provider, and please do not come into The Women's Initiative office. Be in touch with your therapist or our Client Support Specialist at (434) 872-0047 to make alternate arrangements for appointments.
For everyone: Fears and uncertainty about the coronavirus mean many of us are feeling greater anxiety. As we all take precautions to care for our physical health, it is important to remember our mental health needs, as well. Here are some helpful ideas for managing stress during this time:
Focus on the facts about the virus
Get updates from a trusted news source, but make sure to also take breaks from media.
Make time to unwind, and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade.
Allow yourself to do activities you enjoy.
Take care of your body: Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Reflect on habits around sleeping, eating and movement.
Stay connected. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with someone you trust.
Community resources
Coronavirus information:
For questions regarding coronavirus: the Virginia Department of Health’s Thomas Jefferson Health District has opened a hotline: (434) 972-6261, staffed Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The public can leave messages that will be returned as soon as possible.
If someone is experiencing a medical emergency, they should call 911.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, help is available 24/7 from the following resources:
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
Challenge into Change Canceled
The 2020 Virginia Festival of the Book has been canceled, which means there will no longer be a Challenge into Change Celebration on March 18.
We are so sorry that we will not have the opportunity to share this special event with the community, but we are confident that canceling is the right decision. We are hopeful that we can find another way to celebrate authors’ stories of hope and healing in the future. For now, authors will be mailed their two free copies of the 2019-20 Challenge into Change book. Copies are also available for a donation of $10 to The Women’s Initiative.
If you have any questions, please email info@thewomensinitiative.org or call (434) 872-0047. For the latest updates about our offerings, check our website.
Much love,
Elizabeth Irvin, LCSW
Executive Director, The Women's Initiative