Seeking Help Now: Mental Health Facilities and Covid-19
As you well know by now, we are living in uncertain and stressful times, and there is an extremely high likelihood that you have been impacted negatively by COVID-19. Whether that means you’ve lost your job, are experiencing financial hardships, or have high anxiety about contracting the virus, we are all doing our best to get through this unique time. However, the stress of COVID-19 may be too much to bear for some people, and mental health can be severely impacted. If you are finding yourself having an exceptionally difficult time during COVID-19, it is important to learn more about seeking help now at mental health facilities and COVID-19.
Why Now Is A Perfect Time: Mental Health Facilities and Covid-19
As the saying goes, there is no better time than now. This statement couldn’t be more true when it comes to getting help for mental health issues, especially during a stressful time like COVID-19.
One of the silver linings about seeking help during COVID-19 is that there are fewer barriers to entry. These can include:
- You can enter treatment with a better sense of privacy and confidentiality, as everyone is isolated and fewer people will realize you are away
- Logistics with work and home are likely easier to navigate
- There are no upcoming important events, such as a wedding or vacation, to have to wait for
- Financial institutions are more likely to loan you money in order to get treatment
Surrounded by Support
COVID-19 isolation and quarantine is a lonely experience, even if your day is jam-packed with Zoom hangouts and phone calls from loved ones. For some people, this just isn’t enough. Instead, you can enter treatment and surround yourself with loving support from professionals and like-minded individuals who are going through the exact same experience you are.
Don’t Let It Get Worse
The most important reason for seeking help now at a mental health facility during COVID-19 is to make sure that it doesn’t get worse. If mental health conditions remain untreated, it can quickly lead to frequent debilitating panic attacks, depression, addiction, or suicide.
Watch for the Signs
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the major signs to look out for include:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Feeling excessively sad or low
- Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
- Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
- Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
- Avoiding friends and social activities
- Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
- Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
- Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
- Changes in sex drive
- Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don’t exist in objective reality)
- Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)
- Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
- Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
- Thinking about suicide
- Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
- An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance
If you can relate to some or most of these symptoms, it is important that you seek help right away.
Ways to Cope With Stress
Some ways to cope with the stress of COVID-19 include:
- Take media breaks. Limit yourself to only a few minutes a day for checking the latest headlines and news stories regarding COVID-19, and limit yourself to reputable sources only.
- Take care of your body. Make sure you’re eating healthy food, as foods high in sugar and fats can worsen depression symptoms. In addition, staying active is a natural mood-booster and helps to regulate stress.
- Put self-care first. Do something every day to unwind, such as taking a bath or watching your favorite movies on Netflix.
- Check-in with others. Chances are, other people you know are experiencing the same thing as you. Sometimes, helping others and relating to your loved ones can make you feel better about your own situation.
Individuals who complete our mental health treatment program are overwhelmingly happy with the results of the care they receive here. More than ninety-five percent of them say they would refer a loved one or family member seeking mental health treatment to us. We believe the fact that clients overwhelmingly recommend us is proof of the quality of treatment and compassion new clients can expect when coming to The Beach Cottage at Seasons in Malibu.
Seasons is interested in creating a shift for the whole system, not just the individual. Mental health does impact those around us and by offering ways to reach them, educate and work with them personally, offering resources and support, the client can feel a much greater sense of relief returning back into their environment.