The line can be reached at 855-930-HOPE (4673) or 941-556-HOPE (4673). communityhope@tidewell.org

To help meet the emotional-health needs of the community during COVID-19, local hospice provider Tidewell Hospice is offering the Tidewell Community Hope Line. This is not a crisis hotline but a “hope” line for people who need help dealing with today’s challenges. The service is available 24/7 and is staffed by Tidewell grief specialists, social workers, and spiritual care advisors. 

 “For 40 years Tidewell has been helping the community during times of challenge, grief and loss,” Tidewell President and CEO Jonathan Fleece said. “The COVID-19 pandemic is creating unprecedented emotional-health issues for our society, including isolation, anxiety, stress and grief. Many family members are disconnected from their loved one during end of life due to government and public health requirements, which is incredibly difficult. In response to the community’s growing and vital needs, Tidewell has created the Community Hope Line to serve people throughout the COVID-19 crisis. I want to thank Tidewell’s support teams who have developed this innovative program that will serve many.”

Following are the services available for callers through the Community Hope Line:

Grief Support – If a caller has lost a loved one to COVID-19, been separated from loved ones due to hospital or facility lockdowns or is in need of a reassuring voice during this anxious and isolating time, the Hope Line offers caring professionals to listen. No one needs to face this pandemic alone. Grief specialists are available to provide grief education and emotional support. Trained grief professionals can support callers over the phone or via a Zoom video conferencing session.

Spiritual Support– Throughout many times in life, many find it helpful to reach out to faith leaders and spiritual elders. Regardless of where a caller is or what his or her background may be, the Hope Line offers the opportunity to speak to a chaplain. The chaplains at Tidewell are all non-denominational, ordained and clinically trained to walk with you wherever you are on your journey.

Social Support– Social workers at Tidewell see themselves as problem solvers. The coronavirus and the resulting stay-at-home order have caused people to lose jobs, face financial problems, experience childcare concerns and suffer shortages of certain necessities. Though they cannot provide direct financial support, Tidewell social workers can connect callers with community resources available to help them navigate this new normal.

The line can be reached at 855-930-HOPE (4673) or 941-556-HOPE (4673). communityhope@tidewell.org