[NFBNJ] Reminder: MHANJ's Bell Newsletter -- Coping with Loss, Anxiety, Helpful Groups

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
Please review and share with others.
Joe

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Subject: Reminder: MHANJ's Bell Newsletter -- Coping with Loss, Anxiety, 
Helpful Groups

      #MentalHealthMonth Theme: Tools To Thrive



                                About the MHANJ Bell: As we all navigate the 
COVID-19 Pandemic, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey is publishing 
our Bell email newsletter once per week. Please check our website and social 
media often for updates and additional information.

                                MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

                                May 15, 2020








                                Finding the Positives After Loss During and 
After the
                                COVID-19 Pandemic

                                At some point in our lives most of us either 
have already, or will experience loss. This is a normal part of life, but 
unfortunately, the COVID-19 Pandemic has intensified the sense of loss for 
many of us, whether or not an issue has been a direct result of the virus. 
Of course, COVID-19 has caused losses which have impacted many people, such 
as the loss of "normal" lives, employment, the ability to celebrate 
milestones like graduations, and for some, the unfortunate death of loved 
ones due to the virus.

                                How do you cope? It is natural to go through 
a grieving process when any of these types of losses occur. By looking for 
opportunity in adversity or finding ways to focus on the positives of who we 
are, in spite of our losses, we can help ourselves to recover emotionally.

                                It may help to find ways to honor your loss. 
By memorializing the loss of a loved one, you help keep their memory alive. 
You may choose to create a fundraiser for a special cause in their name, 
plant a tree in one of their favorite places, hang their pictures in your 
home, or create a memorial web page or Facebook page. Another option is to 
participate in some of the activities they enjoyed that that remind you of 
them.

                                Doing something that can make you happy is 
worth a try. Pampering yourself can help you begin to heal after dealing 
with a negative or tragic situation, and help bring you back to a place 
where you can appreciate the positive things that life has to offer. Even 
during these challenging times there are options. You might choose an 
outdoor activity, like taking a walk in a new area, or something relaxing, 
such as taking a long bath.

                                Taking time to remember and focus on good 
times can help. It can be even more helpful to have someone else who is 
sharing your loss join you in reminiscing. Maybe you’ll even be able to 
share a laugh together.

                                You are not alone! The Mental Health 
Association in New Jersey is offering virtual/phone-in groups to help people 
connect and cope with loss and other emotional health issues, such as the 
groups noted in the lower portion of this newsletter. There may be other 
grief and loss support groups in your community. Sharing your story and 
asking questions about how other people got through tough times can help you 
to remind yourself that if they can do it, you can do it too.

                                It’s perfectly normal to have trouble 
adjusting to life after something bad has happened to you, but if you find 
it’s been weeks or months and you can’t seem to function or just don’t know 
what to do to feel better, it’s time to get help. You can call New Jersey 
Mental Health Cares at 866-202-4357 for emotional support and/or referrals 
via phone. Your employer may have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and 
if you have insurance, you can get a referral for a mental health 
professional from your primary care provider.

                                Sources: Mental Health America, 1WebMD. 
(2019). Grief: Beyond the 5 Stages conducted by AmeriSpeak. Retrieved from 
https://www.webmd.com/special-reports/grief-stages/20190711/the-grief-experience-survey-shows-its-complicated. 
2Ibid. 3Ibid.












                                 Key Links

                                Website for the Mental Health Association in 
New Jersey's











                                Take a Mental Health Screening









                                Mental Health Highlights



                                Panic attacks are discrete episodes, with an 
abrupt beginning – peaking at about 10 minutes – and a specific end, usually 
within half an hour. If you have a persistent fever and cough, as well as 
trouble breathing, call your doctor or visit the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention at http://cdc.gov/coronavirus.

                                MHANJ is Here for You



















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Inspiration

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                                Suggestions?
                                If you have any suggestions on how the MHANJ 
can serve the community,
                                or comments on our services please send them 
to info at mhanj.org.

                                Mental Health Association in New Jersey | 
800-367-8850 | info at mhanj.org







                  Mental Health Association in New Jersey | 673 Morris Ave., 
Suite 100, Springfield, NJ 07081
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