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Every so often, we will see, or be tagged in, a post that is intended to help people. Here is a very good example of that.
This came to me, via Facebook.
FYI, the relapse and overdose rate has increased by 30% since March 2020. Mental health issues related to our lock-down and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression.NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Health have a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.Please could any two of my Facebook friends just copy and repost to share the helpline far and wide?Just two. Any two. Say done.
- Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on.
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
- Worsening of chronic health problems.
- Worsening of mental health conditions.
- Increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances.
According to the Addiction Policy Forum report, 4% of people surveyed experienced an overdose since the pandemic began.“It’s a number and feedback from our field that we need to take seriously,” said Jessica Hulsey, author and president of Addiction Policy Forum. “We had 45 overdoses reported, 10 being fatal and there were also write-in comments about suicidal ideation and suicidal thoughts.”
In addition, there were also several mentions of relapse.
So. How do we manage our mental health? Here are some resources for us:
Get immediate help in a crisis
- Call 911
- Disaster Distress Helplineexternal icon: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifelineexternal icon: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chatexternal icon.
- National Domestic Violence Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Child Abuse Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
- National Sexual Assault Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chatexternal icon
- The Eldercare Locatorexternal icon: 1-800-677-1116 TTY Instructionsexternal icon
- Veteran’s Crisis Lineexternal icon: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chatexternal icon or text: 8388255
Find a health care provider or treatment for substance use disorder and mental health
- SAMHSA’s National Helplineexternal icon: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889
- Treatment Services Locator Websiteexternal icon
Check out our recent interview, with JW and Anna and Friends, on the morning show. Mental Health did not take a break during COVID-19.
Remember: there is NO SHAME in your game, when you ask for help…or just a listening ear.
Now we can resume the cute cat memes and videos. Those are mentally healthy, we think.