Mind Your Mental Health During the Holidays

by DR. JOY JACKSON

Behavioral health, including mental health, was found to be the top health concern for Polk County residents in a 2020 Community Health Assessment. This assessment was performed by the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in collaboration with multiple community partners. During this assessment, secondary data was analyzed, and information was collected, including the opinions of community members, community stakeholders and key informants. This information was then used to identify priority health issues for Polk. The 2020 Community Health Assessment revealed that behavioral health concerns, including mental health and substance abuse, was the most important health issue for Polk residents. There are many factors that can influence someone’s mental health state. Being aware of these factors and addressing their effects is a vital part of being healthy.

Recognizing mental health needs can be difficult. Some things to look out for are feelings of irritation, anger, uncertainty, nervousness, anxiety, helplessness, powerlessness, tiredness, sadness, being overwhelmed, burned out, depressed, having trouble sleeping or concentrating, or lacking motivation. If you are experiencing any of these concerns, counseling may help. We encourage you to seek mental health counseling in your local community.

Mental health issues were a concern for Polk County residents prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but stressors introduced during the pandemic have given cause to worsen the mental health condition of many Polk residents. Mental health stressors introduced during the pandemic include but are not limited to the loss of loved ones, financial implications, worrying about personal and family health, uncertainty about the future, and isolation. These stressors can cause or worsen existing mental health issues including anxiety or depression.

If you are feeling this way you are not alone, there are resources available to you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has several recommendations that can help you cope with stress during the pandemic:

• Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories.

• Take care of your body – practice breathing exercises, stretch, meditate, eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, get adequate sleep, avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse, continue routine preventative measures, and get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

• Make time to unwind.

• Connect with others.

During the past year and nine months, we have been faced with an ever-evolving crisis. Many of us have had to make decisions under significant stress not knowing what the outcome will be. Experiencing mental health issues is normal and you do not have to go through it alone. Seek help and build resilience! If you are in a crisis, you can get immediate help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish. HN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Joy Jackson, an internal medicine physician, serves the community as director of the Florida department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk). For more information about DOH-Polk, visit mypolkhealth.org. Follow DOH-Polk on Twitter at twitter.com/FLHealthPolk.