By Nicole Keefer, RN
Director of Parish Nursing
Diocese of Camden
In preparing for this month’s Health Notes blog it almost seemed appropriate that this month is Mental Health Awareness Month. Since the middle of March, everyone in our tristate area has been ordered to socially distance and stay home except for essential travel. While the need to do this is essential for our physical health and well-being, it is taking a toll on many of our mental well-beings.
From young children to older adults and everywhere in between we are seeing and hearing of challenges everyone is struggling with. Younger children are not understanding why they can’t go to school or play with friends while older adults, who may have already been leading fairly isolated lifestyles are now even more isolated. Families are facing job loss placing even more emotional stress on possibly already tight budgets. Healthcare workers, ever used to serving others are now finding themselves ill with the virus or mentally drained after caring for severely ill patients all the time. All around us we are seeing, hearing and feeling the damaging effects this virus.
Fear, stress, anxiety are all valid emotions to be experiencing right now. It is important that we do not dismiss our emotions. For some that may mean the need to open up for the first time and ask for help. Others, it may be returning to counseling we may have had in the past and may need again. For everyone, it is important to remember that what our world is experiencing right now is not normal and that it is important to speak up if you are feeling overly stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious.
It is important that we recognize when we are feeling these emotions and that we do not bottle them up or suppress them. Increased irritability and worry can lead us to make poor decisions. If you are experiencing any of these emotions and they are not going away, it is important to know you are not alone. It is extremely important that you take care of yourself so that you will be able to take care of others. Often, we forget that very important lesson. Whether you are old or young, care for others or don’t, right now more than ever we need to remember the message we hear on airplanes: Put your oxygen on before you help others. We can’t take care of others if our own cup is empty!
If you are feeling like you aren’t able to fill your own cup right now and may need to speak to someone, please reach out. If you have a mental health provider, call them. If you do not, consider calling your primary care provider. Other options would be to call our VITALity Resource and Referral line for non-emergent or life threatening issues at: 1-888-268-4825 or call the New Jersey state mental health hotline: 1-866-202-4357. The important thing is to speak up.
Now that we have started talking about mental health, next week we are going to look at some tips to help us get through these challenging times. Be sure to check back next week and remember, be kind to yourself and fill your own cup before you fill others!
