As millions of people around the world are protesting police brutality in the wake of #GeorgeFloyd’s death, the #Covid-19 #pandemic continues to sweep the nation. Many people are experiencing increased levels of #stress and #anxiety as a result.
“The effect of #racism and racial trauma on #mentalhealth is real and cannot be ignored,” Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of the #NationalAllianceonMentalIllness (#NAMI) said in a statement May 29.
And a new survey from the #CentersforDiseaseControl confirms what many people have felt throughout the #Covid-19 crisis: the #pandemic is affecting our #mentalhealth in significant ways.
About one-third of #Americans ages 18 and up reported feeling symptoms of #anxiety and #depression, according to the data, which came from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Census Bureau, and was collected from April 23 to May 19. About 46% of young people in the 18 to 29 age brackets reported these symptoms.
To put that in perspective, before the #pandemic, only 11% of adults over 18 reported the same symptoms of #anxiety and #depression.
“We need to get ahead of flattening the #mentalhealth needs curve,” Luana Marques, clinical psychologist and associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and president of the #Anxiety and #Depression Association of America, tells CNBC Make It.
From therapy to coping mechanisms, here are some free and low-cost resources that can help you during this time:
(For help finding #mentalhealthresources, call the #NAMI Helpline at 800-950-#NAMI or in a crisis, text “#NAMI” to 741741. If you’re in crisis, call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.)
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Watch a webinar
Trying to decode your feelings? The #Anxiety and #Depression Association of #America has numerous webinars hosted by psychologists and #mentalhealth clinicians that you can watch at any time on YouTube. The experts break down difficult subject matter and provide solutions to problems many people are facing now, like how to cope with financial #stress, how to set work-life boundaries and how families can manage #anxiety.
Use meditation exercises
Headspace, the app that Bill Gates recently said “made me a convert” to meditation is offering a free one-year subscription to anyone who is unemployed or furloughed. Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation, a type of meditation that involves paying attention to thoughts and feelings in the present moment, can relieve #anxiety and #depression and help you focus.
Join online support groups
If you don’t have health insurance, online support groups can be helpful, Marques says. Look for local groups that are evidence-based, and focus on the area you’re struggling with, she says. (For example, the ADAA has a database of support groups around the country, as well as the organization’s own peer-to-peer support group.)
And if you have specific questions, #socialmedia can be a great tool during this time. For example, Esther Boykin, a licensed family and marriage therapist in Washington DC, hosts a weekly free “#mentalhealth” happy hour on Instagram Live. The Instagram account, Therapy for Black Girls, often shares crowd-sourced tips about work-life balance, burnout and stress, plus has a directory of therapists.
Utilize employee and student resources
“Most employers are offering some level therapy for their employees,” Marques says. Ask your human resources department about employee assistance programs that you can take advantage of for free or little cost.
Similarly, most college health centers offer low-cost or free counseling services, Marques says. In addition to therapy, they may have wellness resources, such as meditation workshops and relaxation tools, available for students. Although you may not be on your college campus, virtual therapy is just as good as counseling in-person, she adds.
Check out your state health department
Your state’s health department website may have helpful #mentalhealthservices, including emotional support helplines, tips for #mentalwellness during an emergency and a list of #behavioralhealthproviders.
Contact your health insurance provider
If you decide you need to seek professional support from a therapist or licensed #mentalhealthcounselor, your health insurance provider is a good place to start looking, Marques says. (Health insurance companies are required by law to cover of services for #mentalhealth, behavioral health and substance-use disorders that are comparable to physical health coverage.) The company should have a database of clinicians who are accepting patients.
A few questions Marques suggests asking before you settle on one: “Do you offer evidence-based science-driven therapy? Have you ever worked with someone like me before? How many sessions should I expect to attend?”
If you’re concerned about the cost, you may want to ask if the clinician provides appointments on a “sliding scale.” Talk therapy appointments can cost between $100 to $200 a session, according to GoodTherapy, a database of therapists.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
