AAC
WELLNESS & SAFETY COVID-19 and mental health
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e have been incredibly focused on our physical health in recent months due to the COVID-19 virus ... and rightfully so. However, our mental health is a huge concern as well. At this writing things are still “shut down” for the most part. Some restrictions are lifting. But this is still a very fluid situation. There is no telling where we will be when you read this. Though I am quite sure our mental health will continue to be affected by this pandemic. In the Journal published by the American Medical Association (JAMA Internal Medicine), the doctors that authored the article, “The Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 and Physical Distancing” stated, “The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to contain it, represent a unique threat, and we must recognize the pandemic that will quickly follow it — that of mental and behavioral illness — and implement the steps needed to mitigate it.” Through conversations with friends and family I have found that things that are weighing heavy on my mind are not that much different than anyone else. The things we dwell on touch every facet of our lives. I find myself with a myriad of questions and thoughts racing through my mind at lightning speed: Oh my goodness, I coughed. Do I have the virus? Do I have a fever? Can I still taste and smell? What if I am asymptomatic? What if I have it and give it to someone? When will I work in my office again? Will my job ever look the same? I know they keep saying “new normal.” What will “new normal” look like? My current “new normal” keeps shifting. I don’t even like the words “new normal.” Did I touch something contaminated at the store? Did I get everything disinfected? What if I missed something? I know I talked to my children and they said they are OK. Are they really OK? Two of my daughters work in healthcare. I know they are careful. What will happen if they get this virus? If either one of them gets it, should I go take care of them? I can’t. Then I will be exposed. What about my mother? Is this inevitable for her? What about our county folks? Can they survive the closed courthouses, cutbacks, financial issues, and possible exposure while just doing their jobs? What about their children and parents? Oh no! I coughed again. Do I have a fever? I know this litany of questions seems like it goes on forever, but that is just a snippet of what rushes through my mind these days. The fact of the matter is I know I am not alone. We are all dealing with our own set of issues running on a loop and racing through our brains. For some of us this goes on until our heart races and it becomes difficult to breathe. The COVID-19 pandemic 34 cl_Spring_ 2020.indd 34
is not just a physical health crisis. It is a mental health crisis as well. Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. I have researched some resources you can reach out to and suggestions you can try to get through all this. Some may work better than Becky Comet others for you. However, please AAC Member do not suffer in silence. Benefits Manager The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotional responses. Whether you and/or your loved ones are not working, working from home, or have returned to work, do not be surprised if you experience any of the following: • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones • Changes in sleep or eating patterns • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating • Worsening of chronic health problems • Worsening of mental health conditions • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs With that in mind, let’s look at a resource that is available right here in Arkansas, Southwest Employee Assistance (SWEAP). There are many counties that subscribe to their service and, therefore, can get individual counseling as well as group seminars/training, among other services. For those that have subscribed, please take advantage of all the services that are available. They will even put together a program for a specific situation that you may be experiencing in your county. For those that have not yet subscribed to SWEAP, you can still take advantage of many of the things they have available on their website, https://southwesteap.com. Use the login code “sweap.” Here’s a sample of the of the webinar topics they have ready to go: New Webinars Added — Topics covering adjustments, coping and support for work and home during the pandemic: • 5 Tips for Adjusting to Work from Home (10 minutes) • Mental Health & COVID-19: Strategies to Manage Anxiety, Fear, and Stress (57 minutes) • Working from Home with Children (11 minutes) • COVID-19: Facts You Need to Know (48 minutes) COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2020 7/14/20 1:13 PM
