News & Views
Coping during a crisis Who knew that canceling everything would be so difficult? During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have reported stress, burnout and anxiety. Many people are either working from home or finding themselves out of work, educating children and being isolated from family and friends. It’s a lot to deal with, on top of anxiety regarding the illness itself. Because the pandemic is so new, most evidence is based on anecdotes, although, the Canadian Mental Health Association reports that nearly half of those surveyed reported anxiety, and the percentage feeling isolated jumped from 39 percent to 47 percent from March to April. This collection of resources can help you deal with crisis and anxiety, whether it’s a pandemic that affects the whole world, or an emergency in your household. Dawn Huebner: A psychologist offering resources for parents and others who work with children during times of stress. Her website includes a 7-part video series, “When Worry Takes Over: Tips and Techniques for Parents and Kids,” as well as the book “Something Bad Happened: A Kid’s Guide to Coping with Events in the News.” www.dawnhuebnerphd.com Insight Timer: Whether you have 2 minutes or 20, you need to relax or wake up, Insight Timer offers 45,000 guided meditations and courses. App available for iPhone and Android. Canadian Crisis Services: Offers suicide prevention and support through talk, text and online chat, plus links to support organizations and other help. Help is available constantly, 24 hours a day, every day. Visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/, 4 • Optimist
call 833-456-4566 24 hours per day. Text “start” to 45645 from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Eastern time. U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Provides free support to those facing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, every day, while helping also connecting callers with local resources and services. Visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org, or call 800-273-TALK. Building Psychological Strength Podcast: April Seifert, Ph.D., of Peak Mind Psychology, provides a weekly dose of mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re seeking help with anxiety, motivation or even professional improvement, this podcast offers it all. Visit www.peakmindpsychology.com/blog NOTE: The above resources are not meant to substitute professional medical advice.
