TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF physically and mentally right now. Take time to practice self-care like taking walks, playing with a pet, or listening to your favorite music. It is a hard time for many people. There is no shame in asking for help. Listed below are some options for getting mental health help:

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Rutherford County Guidance Center

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Find a Therapist Near You

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Tennessee Statewide Crisis Hotline: Call 1-855-274-7471 OR text “TN” to 741-741

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National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

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WEAR A MASK when in public areas - it reduces the rate of transmission by 75%. Shopping is ok as long as you don't stop and talk to friends and neighbors. Ask to chat later outside of the store. Beginning the first week of May, residents in all 95 counties can head to their local county health departments to pick up a free mask.

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DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. If you must touch your face, be sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water prior to doing so. Practice frequent hand washing even at home.

WASH YOUR HANDS with soap for at least 20 seconds. Keep some Hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol in your car and remember to clean your phone regularly. The CDC does not recommend wearing gloves outside the home for activities like shopping.

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SYMPTOMS: If you develop COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell, CALL AHEAD to a doctor or healthcare provider, mention your symptoms, and they will guide you. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, bluish lips or face, or potentially other life-threatening problems, go to the emergency room or call 911. It can take up to 14 days to develop symptoms to the virus and the average is 5 days. Often people do not develop symptoms at all and are asymptomatic carriers.

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SEEK TESTING IF YOU ARE: (1) exhibiting symptoms, (2) you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus, or (3) you have traveled recently to one of the high-risk countries.

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