As I sit at my home office, with my daughter upstairs doing school work on her school issued I-Pad, I contemplate what has happened these last few weeks. We are both home right now because we both have contracted COVID. My husband is away from us for his safety because thankfully he has not. We don’t know where we got it, but never-the-less, we did. The responsibility that weighs on my shoulders, knowing that it is vastly important to me that I don’t spread it to others, along with the knowledge that I could have before I even knew the results of the tests, weighs heavy on me. When my symptoms started, I stayed home. I didn’t see clients in-person, I followed recommendations, and I got tested. I am one of the lucky ones that was sick, but it did not turn deadly. I was not hospitalized. Praise God. I pray for those who are.
As the pandemic begins to rise, yet again, and the holidays are approaching, people are changing plans from being together with family to staying home. Personally, our family has gone from planning a family gathering, to deciding to stay in our respective homes, and have Thanksgiving in our individual family units. This is for safety reasons. This is a loss for our family as we were looking forward to seeing my husband’s family, and spending time together. During this time, there has been a lot of loss for people. It is important that we as a society acknowledge the loss that we have endured at the hands of this virus. If we don’t, then we dismiss the feelings of others. There are so many people who miss the connection they once had, and they fear that we are going to be going back into a stay at home order. There is so much at stake surrounding this. More job loss. More financial struggles for families. Loss of connection once again. Our healthcare industry is already struggling once again. Hospitals are already filling to capacity with COVID patients. I don’t say this because I “think” it, I have heard from family and friends who are in the healthcare industry. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals are having to WORK who are COVID positive on COVID floors just to take care of COVID patients. These are the professionals that are helping OUR loved ones!
It is imperative that we acknowledge the toll this is playing on mental health. This season, not only are the holidays approaching, when mental health issues rise and people seek more help professionally, now, COVID is back on the rise, families are having to stay apart, we are about to likely have a new set of stay at home orders, and people are sick, not just from COVID, but from the flu, and other health conditions. Depression, trauma, anxiety, and so many other mental health conditions are being triggered and people are being re-traumatized. In addition, we cannot forget that child abuse is rising because children are at home, families are struggling with their own mental health with no outlet, and domestic violence is on the rise. Suicide is on the rise.
12-Year-Old Suicide Attempt There have been 3 completed suicides in the Clark County School District since the start of the school year, and this news story shows that this 12-year-old boy attempted to hang himself with his own shoe strings when his grandfather found him. Our children are depressed, and they are significantly affected by how their lives are changing in this pandemic.
What can we do?
1. Reach out to a mental health professional. There are so many people out there that are willing and able to help. Don’t wait to reach out until it is too late. I personally have immediate openings. There are multiple professionals out there that have openings and want to help.
2. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide call 911. National Suicide Prevention Hotline If you would like to talk to someone confidentially, whether it be by phone or chatting, there are options available. You can click on this link or call the toll free number listed. 1-800-273-8255 You will be connected with a trained professional that will be able to help you immediately.
3. If you suspect that a child is being abused it is not your job to investigate. Child Protective Services Hotline Numbers by State Here is a link to each state’s Child Abuse Hotline. Please contact your state’s child protective services and report what you know. You could be saving a child’s life.
4. If you are in a domestic abuse relationship and you would like to talk to someone, know that you are not alone. Domestic Violence Support This link has information on safety planning, identifying if you are in a domestic violence relationship, ways to talk to someone, chat, etc. Do not hesitate to contact this number. There is no pressure, it is a supportive, safe space.
Remember, during this time we have to support others. We have to keep our world a safe space and advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. And I am always here to help connect you with resources or see someone in need.