[Ohio-Talk] As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts everyone's lives, experts say it's important to make sure mental health is a part of the recovery discussion.

[Richard Payne]

	As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts everyone's lives, experts say it's
important to make sure mental health is a part of the recovery discussion.
Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News
this situation is naturally giving people anxiety, stress, fear, and other
problems. One way to cope is to continue communicating with others.
"It is important that people are connecting with others," Conrad said.
"We're asking for physical distance, but not necessarily total isolation
from other human beings."
Conrad says it's also good to follow a routine, getting up at the same time
each day and following a schedule. And she says it's OK to turn off the news
from time to time. She adds says those in a crisis have places to turn.
"Call the National Distress Helpline or the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline operates 24/7 and that
number is 800-273-8255."
Conrad says the conversation on the mental health aspect of this pandemic
needs to be ongoing.
"This will be with us for a long time, which is why mental health is such an
important focus and something that needs to be part of every conversation as
we move throughout this response and into a phase of recovery."
As for those dealing with anxiety or loneliness, the state has launched a
warmline
<https://www.wsjm.com/2020/04/13/state-launches-mental-health-hotline/>  you
can call. It will connect you with a peer counselor who has dealt with
issues of their own. It can be reached at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753).


Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back


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