MENTAL HEALTH AND COPING DURING COVID-19
Hello Everyone!
Never thought I would be talking about a pandemic in my blog but here we are. So much has happened in the last month. COVID-19 has interrupted life as we knew it and there is no telling when this shall end.
As some of you already know, I am a licensed psychotherapist. I work for a hospital in a psychiatric ambulatory clinic. Therefore I have been in the front lines of how this pandemic has been impacting people, mentally, financially and medically. However, just like I tell my patients, we have to find the positives in the midst of the chaos. I am grateful for my health, for my family's health, being able to work from home and help others in this terrible time.
I also realized I can use this platform to help you as well! (Moving forward I want to include more mental health content here too). In this blog post, I want to share with you what I have shared with my patients to help cope with the anxiety and stress this pandemic has caused us. If you have further questions about this post, resources or therapy, in general, please feel free to email me: styledbypamela@gmail.com
If you are overwhelmed right now, the NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Line is staffed by specially trained volunteers who can help. Reach Out 1-844-863-9314.
The outbreak of coronavirus may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
Ways to cope with stress
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting and increase symptoms of anxiety.
- Take care of your body.
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. My favorite apps are Headspace and Insight timer.
- Try to eat healthy and well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy every day.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling
Need help? Know someone who does? If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others
Call 911
Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline call 1-800-985-5990
Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Resources: Office Of Mental Health
OMH Emergency Contacts
National Suicidal Prevention Lifeline CALL
Resources: Office Of Mental Health
OMH Emergency Contacts
National Suicidal Prevention Lifeline CALL