We are currently in a crisis, including threat to our health and well being, economic insecurities, and major disruptions to our routine. This crisis state increases our chances of depression, anxiety, and physical health complaints, and those who have a mental health condition, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or mood disruptions are particularly vulnerable to instability. Sleep and eating patterns may become disrupted. Some may reach out to maladaptive coping resources, like substance use, or avoidance of responsibility, and ultimately this can lead to an even greater instability and consequence than the virus that we are all faced with.
We also know that, just like maintaining our physical health, maintaining our mental health is critical to navigating our way through this crisis. For many people, therapy is part of the routine. They’ve adjusted to telehealth or video sessions, and are able to maintain ongoing therapy sessions to focus on adjustment, coping, and mental wellness. For others, the idea of therapy is already a barrier, and the idea of beginning, or resuming therapy, in a remote or video counseling manner can be daunting.
Supporting ourselves and our loved one includes a focus on mental health. Its not enough to just log on to school or work, and hope that each day will be better than the last. Instead, we are having to make concerted efforts to connect with those we care about, as well as concerted efforts to stay informed without becoming traumatized by the news.
Students with learning differences, or those who receive social, emotional, and educational supports through the school district are adjusting to remote learning, and online access to supports, including telehealth speech and occupational therapy, telehealth social skills groups, and more. Parents are having to adjust to these increasing technological demands, and are faced with homeschooling children who may have considerable educational needs.
We are also seeing an increase in related supports. Many apps and sites that focus on well being, like Headspace, or 10% Happier, are offering free or reduced membership costs during this time.
Locally, our Texas cities are putting resources together to help the community. Mental Health Alliance of Dallas has several resources, including work at home toolkits, guidance videos, and mental health screenings. Here for Texas, part of the Grant Halliburton Foundation, has a provider search, and specific supports for those who are on the front lines in the response to the COVID-19 crisis.
We are here, too. Whether it is for individual therapy, parent consultation, group social support, or school supports, we want to be a support to you as you are going through this. We know how important maintaining mental health care can be, and we are here to help you adjust to distance therapy as well. While we know there is no way to “fix” the crisis we are in, we want to make sure you know you are not alone, and that there is help. Contact us to learn more.