By Susan Kozak
While one in five people in the U.S. will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, right now, we are all facing unique challenges that are impacting our mental health. Sheltering in place, separation from loved ones, loss of income or a job, the devasting fallout and effects from an already uncertain and anxiety-filled time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Americans are struggling with mental health during the COVID-19 closures and many are turning to unhealthy habits to cope. In a University of Michigan study that began a week after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, 28 percent of respondents said they used alcohol or drugs to feel better. More than 50 percent of people reported symptoms of anxiety every day or several days a week.
May is Mental Health Month and considering what is happening in our world, there is no better time to proactively prioritize our mental wellness.
The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency – and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.
One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screen at mhascreening.org when they need answers. It’s a quick, free, and private way for people to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.
The first step to take control of our mental state is to recognize the signs that how we are dealing with the present circumstances, our coping mechanisms, are no longer working.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here’s what stress during an infectious disease outbreak can look like:
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
You may not be able to control the virus, but you can help control your emotional reaction to it. Here are some strategies to help you manage your anxiety.
Stay connected. While many are physically separated from friends and loved ones, we are fortunate to have several means to still stay connected. Of course, there is Skype, Facebook, Zoom, and other great tech tools that are a click away. But even a simple phone rotation list of 10 to 15 people to commit to call weekly is not only good for the recipient but will help you as well to stay in touch.
Be sure to include those you may not normally speak to on a regular basis and those who may be especially isolated right now.
Get a routine. Lives have been turned upside down and we’ve lost the comfort of daily routines. Some are working more than ever, and others have reduced hours or lost their jobs altogether. If you haven’t been in one, begin to set a regular schedule by getting up at a set time, plan time for household chores and exercise, and other things. The benefit a routine brings is it provides us with a sense of normalcy and control when things feel so out of control.
Practice gratitude. Science has shown that people who practice gratitude are happier and more optimistic — and you can easily teach yourself how to do it. It’s easy to dwell on the negative, but it takes conscious effort to focus on what is good. Take time to quiet yourself and think about what you’re most grateful for each day.
Reach out for help. If your stress reactions are interfering with your life for two weeks in a row or longer, call your healthcare provider. It is important to note that while many businesses are temporarily closed at this time, behavioral health centers, such as Community Care Services in Lincoln Park is open, providing online virtual TeleHealth therapy and accepting new consumers and has been designated one of two Urgent Behavioral Health Care Services Provider for Wayne County by the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Center.
For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. Finding what works for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes.
About the author – Susan Kozak has been a licensed social worker for the past 35 years and currently serves as the executive director of Community Care Services, a position she has held since 2011.
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