RUNNING THE COVID MARATHON: HOW TO EMOTIONALLY STAY THE COURSE B Y S H A N N O N D U B O I S , P S Y. D . PHOTO BY JANEEN SORENSEN
Editor’s Note: As part of our care for the social and emotional well-being of our students, we are paying special attention to mental health, which has been particularly challenging during the pandemic. Dr. Shannon DuBois, who is a licensed psychologist, adjunct professor at Northwest University, and parent of a current Bear Creek student and two alumnae, recently partnered with Dr. Flaviane Ferreira, another parent and psychologist, and Lauren Neely, our school counselor, to present tips to our Upper School students for staying mentally strong. She graciously agreed to expand their presentation into this article, which also incorporates information she has shared with the Northwest University blog.
“ I T ’ S A M A R AT H O N , N O T A S P R I N T.” This was the mantra espoused by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) where I worked as a mental health expert during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, like everyone else, I had no idea what lay ahead, but I certainly didn’t think of the pandemic as a marathon. In my mind, it was more like an 800-meter run. Who knew that more than 12 months later we would still be battling this virus, still be running this marathon. It has been a tough 2020 and start to 2021. Political strife, racial tensions, economic instability, and
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MODUS VIVENDI – Spring 2021
