You may be feeling worried or profoundly sad right now. For yourself, for your family, for the world. Or you may be feeling stressed. Lonely. Anxious. Even frustrated beyond endurance, yet helpless to do anything about it.
These days, six out of every 10 Americans are right there with you, increasingly stressed and depressed, according to a COVID Impact Survey by NORC at the University of Chicago. In fact, the American Psychological Association is warning that mental health concerns will be serious and long-lasting across the nation due to the pandemic, falling economy, and social unrest.
Before this all started, you could probably just shake off any troubles that came up. You could move out of your sadness and anger by talking with a friend, focusing on the positive, directing your hands to a project, or watching an uplifting movie. Here are some great coping tips from the Centers for Disease Control that can also help in these difficult times:
• Manage your isolation by helping others. Make time for regular phone calls or video chats.
• Take care of your body. Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Take a break from the news. Once a day is plenty. Get what you need from reliable sources, then turn it off.
• Limit screen time. Give your eyes, mind, and body a break by doing something else.
• Maintain normalcy. Keep the regular routine for you and your family as much as possible.
But don’t be surprised if none of these work as well as they once did. In 2020, we are all being rattled by one national or global event after another. The news seems to get darker every day. Job opportunities seem further out of reach. The isolation, the worry about making ends meet, and the grief for ill or lost family members—all may feel heavier than you can bear.
First, let me assure you, we will get through this. Our community has been through other pandemics, as well as natural disasters, market crashes, 9/11, and World Wars. Our resilience is indomitable. That said, there is nothing wrong with taking some time to react, work through the stress, and let someone else take care of us for a little while, like a therapist or counselor. That’s just being human. If you sprain your ankle, you see a doctor, right? Mental health care is no different.
The reality of it is, this world may be our new norm for a while. We just don’t know. Given the heightened stress people are feeling due to COVID-19 and current events, now is the time for people to let go of any stigma they may feel around seeking a psychiatrist, therapist, or other mental health provider.
And if your emotional pain has worsened, please remember: no matter how deep the despair, how immobilizing the hopelessness, there is reason for life, and there are many resources to help you find it.
At Saratoga Hospital, we offer behavioral health services through our Primary Care practices, medication management and counseling at Saratoga Community Health Center, Inpatient Mental Health services (for those at risk of harming themselves or others), as well as substance abuse and behavioral health counseling through our Addiction Medicine services.
Whatever your worry, your fear, or your pain, we are here to help you choose to go on. You are not alone. Learn more at SaratogaHospital.org.
If your stress or anxiety is keeping you from getting through your day for longer than a week, or you cannot shake serious feelings of sadness and depression, call your healthcare provider right away. You can also call:
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8225
• NYS Domestic Violence Hotline:1-800-942-6906
• NYS Child Abuse Hotline:1-800-342-3720
• Samaritans Suicide Prevention Center Hotline: 1-518- 689-4673
• Suicide Prevention Coalition of Saratoga County: 1-800-273-8255
• Saratoga County Crisis Line Hotline: 1-518-584-9030
• Wellspring Domestic Violence Hotline: 518-584-8188
