Social – Stay at Home vs Can Leave

Opportunities That Require Less Effort

Sometimes, getting out of the house and talking to people is too much to handle. The following suggestions can be done from your home & minimize voice conversation, but still provide you with some form of socialization.

TV Can Count, If That's Where You're At.

If you’re not socializing at all, try doing something (even if it’s small) to expose yourself to another person- this can be through a text message or short phone call with someone, or can even be through watching a TV show or YouTube video with people in it.

Just Be With Someone Else

Sometimes having full conversations with others can be overwhelming. Call someone you trust, (or go where they are if they’re physically near you), and say, “I’m not feeling too well and I don’t want to be alone. Could we just be together right now and not talk? It’s just nice to have a friend.”

Get Online Support

Feeling like you’re not alone in your experience is incredibly powerful.

- Don’t feel like talking with other people? Try talking with an Artificial Intelligence supportive chatbot, such as Wysa or Woebot.
- Have online conversations with other people going through similar experiences. Try out:
  - Forum-based support websites/apps, for example:
    - TheMighty
    - ADAA Online Support Forum
    - MHA – Inspire
    - DepressionTribe
    - TalkLife
    - Go on Facebook and search for a group, such as “Depression and Anxiety Support” or “Coping with Treatment-Resistant Depresssion”
  - Online/app-based support live chats: for example:
    - Supportiv (try the Depression Collection)
    - 7 Cups
    - Wisdo
  - Anonymous apps, where you answer a question, and see the answers of others, helping you to feel less alone, such as:
    - The Daily Haloha
    - Longwalks

Just watched an interesting TV show or YouTube video or read a great online article? Go to the comments section on the article/video host page or social media page & respond to others’ comments.
Have a particular interest or hobby? Find an interest-based online forum (by searching “[hobby/interest name] online forum” in Google, Reddit or Facebook) and engage with the discussions. (Examples of forums here, here and here.)

Hashtags Are Helpful

Social media can be a place to have meaningful conversations with others, if you know where to look. Hashtags can be a great way to filter results so they’re more relevant. For example, as a start, try the following hashtags on Twitter to introduce you to various mental health communities: #SickNotWeak, #SPSM (stands for Suicide Prevention Social Media), #KeepTalkingMH

Opportunities That Require More Effort

If it is overwhelming to leave the house right now, but you’re comfortable doing activities from home & having conversations with others, try the following:

Video/Phone Support Groups

Support groups can be a great way to share your experience and learn from others’ experiences. If you’re not ready to show your face, simply turn your camera and/or microphone off and listen. Go at your own pace.
- Support Groups Central – is a database of video-based support groups.
- DBSA – offers online and in-person support groups.
- Recovery International – offers online, phone, and in-person meetings.

Call a Warmline

Not in crisis, but just need to talk to someone? Try calling a warmline! Warmlines were created so that people can have non-crisis support calls with trained volunteers. These calls are typically free, confidential, and run by people who understand what it’s like to struggle with mental health problems.

What to know before you call:

Call a warmline in your own state first, if one exists.
If one doesn’t exist or is busy, call a warmline in another state that is close to you and provides national service.
When you call, they might ask for some information, like where are you calling from.

Pursue Your Interests/Hobbies – Virtually!

Many places offer virtual classes or club meetings. Try searching ” online [activity name] meetings/classes”. Some examples include:

Virtual Volunteering

Virtual volunteering has many rewards – not only do others benefit from your help, but giving back to others can improve your mood. Check out the following opportunities below:

- Provide tutoring and/or advice to low-income high school students to help them succeed through UPchieve.
- Virtually help veterans and their families with career prep through mock interviews or job search advice. See Hire Heroes USA for more info.
- Be an online emotional support person at 7 Cups.
- Use your vision to solve tasks for blind and low vision people with Be My Eyes.
- Send a card or letter once/week to someone undergoing chemotherapy. Apply at Chemo Angels.
- Find additional virtual volunteer opportunities at VolunteerMatch.

SOURCE: 25 Volunteer Jobs to Do from Home