Dear Friends,
First, I want to wish you a happy and healthy New Year!
Many people look forward to the New Year as a way of stepping forward into positive change and leaving behind challenges of the past. For 2020 leading into 2021, I feel fairly confident in saying that those feelings may have been even more pronounced for many, including myself. 2020 was quite a year and I am sure we are all glad to see it receding in the distance.
However, as we move into this new year, it’s important to remember that all change, be it positive or negative, is often accompanied by some feelings of stress, being overwhelmed and concern for the uncertainty ahead. For example, getting married or making a much-wanted job change can lead to stress, even though the events are positive changes. When that stress is further compounded by less desirable changes, such as struggling with medical issues, having financial worries, or experiencing behavioral health issues like depression, problems may feel overwhleming.
During these circumstances, one of the key tools to assist with improving our resilience and better managing change, is to shift our attention to the aspects of situations over which we can exercise control. Shifting perspective to view problems as solvable challenges and as opportunities for growth can reduce feelings of being hopeless or helpless. When we are unable to do this on our own, then we should reach out to others for support and help. That can be in the form of a friendly conversation with a neighbor or relative, or it may mean seeking behavioral health care when symptoms are more serious.
At the Cohen Clinic at Easterseals, we are proud of all the veterans and military families we served last year, especially during the pandemic. When it was hard to manage the adjustments needed to do everything from home, we helped clients focus on solutions. When relationships became challenging during the 10-months (and counting) of staying at home together, we helped families find ways to communicate. When families were faced with the harsh realities of what it means to lose jobs and not be able to put food on the table, we stepped up and helped deliver food to them. Through our wrap-around veteran and military services at Easterseals, which include our clinic, case management, employment, and childcare, we have been able to lend a helping hand to many during this trying year.
For our clinic, 2020 brought the challenges of continuing to provide the highest quality evidenced-based behavioral health care, while working completely remote. During the pandemic, we stayed open with telehealth services to all our clients. I am so proud of our clinic team and all that has been accomplished last year to continue to care for veterans and military families in our communities.
However, we know that while COVID-19 is still with us, the needs for our service is only increasing. So, I am pleased to take this moment to announce that we are officially expanding our services to include clients in West Virginia AND active-duty service members of all branches, including National Guard and Reserves, in all of our service areas.
For 2021, my deepest hope is that it brings comfort to us as individuals, as well as healing and unity for our communities and our nation. I am confident that we can move forward with a perspective towards opportunity for growth and positive change in this New Year. As we start 2021, my commitment to you is that our clinic stands ready to serve and excited to continue our work, no matter what adventures or challenges lie ahead for us.
Stay healthy and have a wonderful year!
