During a time of crisis such as an infectious disease outbreak, everyone may show symptoms of stress, including older people and those with chronic illnesses which could make them more vulnerable to COVID-19; children and teens; responders to the crisis such as doctors, nurses, other hospital personnel, emergency services personnel, police officers, firefighters, and emergency management personnel; and people who have mental health conditions, including individuals with substance use disorders.
Symptoms of stress reaction may include fear and worry about your own health and the health of loved ones and friends, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, or difficulty sleeping or concentrating among other symptoms.
“This crisis has greatly impacted all of us. We are all vigilant and concerned,” said Tom Talbot, Executive Director of Community Mental Health Center, Inc. “Doing self-care is very important for us. Try to know yourself, read your body, understand how to self-regulate, know when to give yourself a break. CMHC’s mission – Partnering for Wellness: Healthy Mind. Healthy Body. Healthy Life. – helps us stay focused on this.”
There are a number of steps you can take to help you cope with the challenges of this crisis:
- Try to limit your exposure to news of the crisis, including on social media. Hearing constant and repeated news about the crisis can be upsetting. Use reliable sources, such as the CDC website and the Indiana State Department of Health website, to seek news and health information.
- Take care of yourself. Try to maintain your normal eating and sleeping habits, if at all possible. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, and exercise regularly. Avoid consuming alcohol and drugs.
- Be sure to relax when you can. Do some favorite activities that you enjoy and that help you feel good, such as reading or watching a favorite TV show.
- Connect with others. We are continuing to discover ways to reach other online: through social media, teleconferencing, chat groups, etc. Talk with people who you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
- Maintain and practice mindfulness and spiritual wellness. Make time for practices that enhance your sense of connection to self, nature, others, and your belief in a higher power. Such practices may include prayer, meditation, and reflection.
“We are all learning new ways to cope with and how to function in our world in the midst of a great upheaval. Be kind to yourself and others. Understand that it is important to embrace hope as we move into the future,” said Talbot.
CMHC provides behavioral health and substance use disorders services in Dearborn, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland counties. CMHC is continuing to maintain some services during the COVID-19 crisis, as behavioral health and substance use disorders services have been declared essential by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
For information about services, please phone the following numbers: Lawrenceburg – 812-537-7375; Batesville – 812-934-4210; Brookville – 765-647-4173; St. Leon – 812-576-1600, and Vevay – 812-427-2737.
You also may contact 812-537-1302 to get information about available services. This number provides access to Emergency Services, as well, as does our 24-hour toll-free crisis line at 1-877-849-1248.
