Fresh Concept
Mental Health in Uncertain Times Help Is Out There! By Janette Calabro
As we have all recently learned, nothing increases stress levels like a global pandemic. Fear and anxiety top the list of mental health challenges during a time when the world feels upside down. We are restricted from (or at least socially distanced from) our usual social activities. Some of us have lost a job or a business. Even those of us who didn’t lose income may have lost ground in our retirement plans. Everything we do is harder than it used to be, even things as simple as grocery shopping. Add that to the fear of harm from the virus itself, and—boom! Just like that, you’re in a position of stress you never thought you’d see in your lifetime. It’s easy to understand how your stress threshold can start to fray. How do you keep your mental health grounded during times like these? There is always a light in the darkness. In this article, we’ll take a look at self-care strategies and when to reach out for professional help. At the time this article was written, the United States has recorded more than seven million cases of COVID-19, and more than 200,000 people have died. By the time you read this, the numbers will be higher. As doctors and researchers attempt to adapt to the fast-moving virus, we’re not sure when we’ll see an effective vaccine or how soon it will be available to the public. In the face of fear and uncertainty, it’s important to follow medical guidelines, but it’s just as important to find some refuge from the mental health challenges that the pandemic brings. The Mayo Clinic, the CDC, and countless websites offer great advice for relieving stress, anxiety, fear, sadness, and loneliness, but a local therapist will be able to offer a more personal treatment plan for your health and well-being. It’s important to note that existing mental health challenges may well worsen during these uncertain times. COVID-19 may be our newest challenge, but it’s certainly not the only one! If you or someone you know is in crisis right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Counselors are available 24 hours a day. Stress is a normal part of life, and everyone’s stress levels wax and wane over time. Right now, the addition of pandemic challenges to everyday wear and tear has made life feel out of control for many of us. If you feel pushed beyond your ability to cope or are having difficulty concentrating on everyday tasks, it is a great time to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional. Many providers are offering telehealth options now, so don’t let anxiety about entering a healthcare facility stop you from getting the mental health care you need. Just talking about it helps! Remember, you’re not alone with those feelings. There are many ways to find a mental health provider. Your employer might offer an employee assistance program. A trusted friend or family member may have a provider to recommend. Your primary care physician can certainly offer a list of suggestions. Licensing requirements vary by state, but credentials to look for include LIMHP (licensed independent 20
November 2020
mental health practitioner) or LMHP (licensed mental health practitioner). Look for graduate or post-graduate degrees if you’re searching for a credentialed therapist. Stress can have great impact on how you relate to your spouse or partner, your children, and the rest of your family. Many types of counseling can help. The purpose of couples therapy or marriage counseling is to help strengthen and rebuild a relationship or to help you through a separation. Family therapists can help family members make thoughtful decisions, either together or separately. Counseling provides a safe environment for the whole family to ask questions, express feelings, and talk about ideas to reduce conflict. Conflicts between parents and children can be complicated, especially during these strange days. Remember, life doesn’t stop during a pandemic. Instead, our limits may be tested beyond our everyday trials and tribulations. Children and teens have their own issues that may require additional therapy. Substance abuse or alcoholism, mental or physical illness, and divorce are among the many reasons to seek therapy. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another issue that can almost always be helped with counseling. PTSD is sparked by a traumatic life event, including living or serving in an armed conflict zone, enduring a sexual or physical assault, experiencing the sudden death of a beloved friend or family member, or even witnessing the assault of another person. PTSD symptoms include intense fear, helplessness, and stress that may require treatment from a medical professional. Psychotherapy and sometimes medication can provide immediate help, but therapy for PTSD is often a lifelong process. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals change how they think about their trauma. Counseling can be vital for people who are struggling to understand their own sexual identity or orientation. It can also help people deal with negativity from the people around them who do not approve. Though attitudes and social norms have changed considerably in the United States, members of the LGBTQ population still endure discrimination, marginalization, alienation, and even violence. Counselors can help patients who are figuring out who they are and can help families who seek to better understand their loved ones. When we began to hunker down at home this spring, the goal was to slow the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, being cut off from the social networks of work, school, and community brings its own challenges. Many forms of abuse
