May was mental health month, and it happened during one of the most challenging times we have gone through as a nation, and globally. There are no definite numbers or estimates on the extent of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the mental health of people and communities around the country yet, in part because this crisis is still happening. However, there is no doubt that this pandemic has significantly impacted mental health and wellbeing and that there will be ongoing impacts over the coming months.
Although supporting our communities and ourselves is never an easy task, this has become more difficult during this health and economic crisis. The self-isolation public health measures we use to protect our communities from COVID-19 create challenges and stressors that people would not have to face in their normal lives otherwise. During a time like this, it is important to support and keep one’s community and loved ones safe.
We all need to keep each other safe and healthy, so we can overcome this crisis stronger and wiser. We all need to be kind to one another and help each other. As stated by Mental Health America, “While 1 in 5 people will experience a diagnosable mental health condition in their lives, 5 out of 5 people will go through a challenging time that affects their mental health.”
Here is a list with resources and strategies to take care of our communities and our own mental health and wellbeing during this pandemic.
Links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month
https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Month