By: Michelle Sturgill, LCSW, Clinical Therapist at 360 Youth Services
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. People around the world are facing increasing mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What can you do if you feel like your mental health is at risk?
It is common to feel sad or scared or discouraged during a time like this. You are facing new limits on what you can do and that may cause you to feel anxious about the future. It can be hard to adapt to a new reality and cope with changes that you feel like you have no control over. Your favorite activities may be harder to do and you may feel disconnected from your sense of self and from others.
- It’s important to remember that your physical, spiritual, and emotional health are all connected. Taking care of all aspects of yourself will increase the likelihood that you stay well.
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing information about the pandemic repeatedly can be overwhelming and can lead to negative thoughts and emotions.
- Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or practice mindfulness activities. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to find other activities that will help you feel physically, mentally and emotionally stimulated.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
- Reach out to your general health practitioner or a mental health specialist for more intensive support.
For additional resources please visit our Get Help page, or visit the Mental Health America website which provides a list of great tools to support mental health: https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month
