With schools and workplaces across the country closed, some businesses are offering their services for free. From filling empty hours to staying in touch with friends and family, many resources can be easily accessed from home without being a financial burden during these difficult times.

Mental Health Resources

With many typical avenues for managing mental health, from therapists to gyms, unavailable, the stress of the COVID-19 outbreak and social isolation add to many students’ stress levels. Fortunately, some resources are being offered for free to help manage mental health during social distancing. Free mental health resources include:

• Talking to your school counselor
• Real – a mental health platform that offers group discussions, check-ins with therapists, and other digital events. https://www.join-real.com/
• Aura – a mindfulness app that offers meditations. Aura is currently offering a free three month trial with the code FINDPEACE2020. https://www.aurahealth.io/
• Headspace – another mindfulness app that teaches how to be mindful every day. https://www.headspace.com/
• Calm – an app which offers “sleep stories,” which are designed to help improve sleep and reduce anxiety. https://www.calm.com/
• National mental health resources such as NAMI, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Education Resources

Since all schools in Wisconsin are closed, teachers have had to become creative when it comes to communicating the material for their classes. Free resources can help students excel in their online classes and prep for AP tests. Free education resources include:

• Khan Academy
• Duolingo
• HippoCampus
• TED-Ed
• Audible
• Crash Course
• APPracticeExams.com

Food Pantries

Since students can no longer receive lunches at school, food pantries provide a helpful alternative. Some pantries have limited hours due to the Safer at Home Act. Pantries in the Neenah area include:

• Neenah Emergency Food Pantry – Salvation Army. 181 E North Water St, Neenah, WI 54956
• St. Joseph Food Program. 1465A Opportunity Way, Menasha, WI 54952
• Freedom Center Food Pantry. 1110 S. Oneida St, Appleton, WI 54914
• Oshkosh Area Community Pantry. 2551 Jackson St, Oshkosh, WI

Communication Resources

One of the most difficult parts of quarantining is being cut off from friends and classmates. As such, many students have found that using communication resources like those listed below can help alleviate boredom and loneliness. Free communication services include:

• Google Hangouts
• Zoom
• Skype
• WhatsApp
• Facebook Messenger
• Google Duo

Although maintaining social distancing is difficult, it is incredibly important to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Resources such as these can help students stay in touch, learn and maintain their mental health.