COVID – 19 SPECIAL ISSUE (Post 129)

MONDAY, MAY 11

POST 129

Responding to COVID – 19: More Resources for Help

About a month ago, I received an e-mail from a journalist for WORLD Magazine. She was writing an article about the impact of Stay-at-Home orders upon persons with disordered gambling. Her questions were good and I appreciated this particular and very current focus on gambling addiction. In my written response to her, I noted that – for some folks – there is natural recovery … one without therapy and/or medication.

Perhaps the dearth of one’s favorite gambling venue (as in compliance with the stay-at-home order) could spur a person to healthy alternatives … perhaps, not. Another form of gambling may become as compelling as the old favorite. Sadly, other unhealthy behaviors might take on new addictive patterns ... or worsen. Still I recall from years ago, a gambler in recovery who spent most of her spare moments with a new past-time: reading. Going to the library became her favorite place to go.

Since late-March, emails listing resources to cope with the uncertainty, fear, and anxiety brought on by social distancing, unemployment, and staying-in-place have flooded the internet. For this special edition of the GRM Blog, I have another list for you. Several resources are notably geared toward clergy and other faith leaders. Another highlights Gamblers Anonymous Telephone Meetings. AA and NA Online Meetings are also included.

MORE RESOURCES FOR HELP

12 Step Phone Meetings for Compulsive Gamblers (approved by GA)

Temporary Conference Call Meeting Information

As of Wednesday, 3/18/ 2020, Gamblers Anonymous will have an accommodation for all GA members who have been told that their regular meeting facilities have been closed due to the current health emergency. The Board of Trustees Telephone Conference Call Committee has been operating a weekly Telephone Conference Call meeting for the last 6 years. With the approval of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the committee has volunteered to hold daily meetings.

Accordingly, there will be a telephone conference call meeting every day of the week at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, which is GMT - 4, lasting for 2 hours. These meetings are designated as approved Gamblers Anonymous Meetings. The meetings are scheduled to continue for a 2-week period, but may be extended additional weeks, if required.

Below are the details to call in for all the meetings.

> Day and Time Call In Number Meeting Code Email for Information and Questions

> Sunday 9PM 712-770-5338 836083# Sunday9PMHelp@gmail.com

> Monday 9PM 712-770-4925 554671# Monday9PMHelp@gmail.com

> Tuesday 9PM 712-770-4943 253824# Tuesday9PMHelp@gmail.com

> Wednesday 9PM 712-770-4160 611704# Wednesday9PMHelp@gmail.com

> Thursday 9PM 712-770-4981 872853# Thursday9PMHelp@gmail.com

> Friday 9PM 712-770-4996 595094# Friday9PMHelp@gmail.comth

> Saturday 9PM 712-770-5335 491301# Saturday9PMHelp@gmail.com

NOTE: The telephone conference call platform we are using has local access telephone numbers for 74 different countries. If you are going to call from a foreign country, please use the appropriate email address to request the local calling numbers.

Mental Health Ministries

www.mentalhealthministries.net/spotlights/html_spotlights/2020/covid2020.html/

ARTICLES:

** 10 Guidelines for Pastoral Care During the Coronavirus Outbreak

** Child-friendly Resources to Explain Coronavirus

** How to Deal with Coronavirus If You Have OCD or Anxiety

Plus many more resources!

Journal of Religion and Health

www.springer.com>journal

Forthcoming is a special issue on the role that religion plays in health as related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health

(Duke University: May 1, 2020)