May is Mental Health Month, and right now it’s more important than ever that you keep tabs on the mental health of yourself and the people you love. I know that many of our clients, and many of our own loved ones, are struggling with the isolation, disruption, and anxiety caused by the COVID -19 pandemic.
I know that I have had to be diligent in using my coping skills to help keep my own mental health on track. I’ve also been keeping an eye on my kids, who are tired of being cooped up and deprived of their social lives, and on my mom, who is diligently practicing social distancing while continuing to mourn the death of my father, who died in January. It’s been a tough year so far for my family, and I imagine that you can tell me a similar story.
As someone with a history of mental health challenges, I have lots of practice in using coping skills to keep myself from succumbing to depression and anxiety. I have had to call on those coping skills a lot lately – I’ve been exercising, trying to eat a healthy diet, and keeping my regular counseling appointments. Those things have helped me immensely!
I’ve read that many people who might not have had previous experience with mental illness are suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression as they try to cope with the stress of staying at home, dealing with economic hardship, and taking in all of the news stories swirling around them. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you if you are having a difficult time getting through the crisis.
- Check out the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) COVID-19 resource center here. You can contact NAMI Greater Indianapolis for specific resources here in our own community.
- Be Well Indiana has information as well as links to crisis phone and text lines.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a site to help you cope with the stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
All of us at Severns & Howard hope that you and your family stay healthy during these times. We will keep working to help our clients ensure that their response teams ready and that they are prepared for any long term care needs that they might face, now or in the future.