Greetings,

 

Mental Health America of California, in accordance with Sacramen to County orders, will continue to shelter in place through at least  May 1 st. Please know  we continue to work full days with the continued passion of achieving our mission and values.  Our mission to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender and ethnicity receive the mental health services and supports they need is even greater today as we all face the current challenges of COVID19 and sheltering in place. In response to these challenges,  we have been working on a variety of projects, public policies and emergency orders to help increase access, supports and services for all our communities. Our hearts are with all you as we move into the next few weeks of sheltering in place. We are in this together. Please remember to reach out to one another, be kind to each other and be kind to ourselves.  #youarenotalone

 

In community,

 

Heidi L. Strunk

President & CEO

Mental Health America of California

How to Talk to Your Anxious Child or Teen About Coronavirus

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Fear, uncertainty, and anxiety are bound to be heightened with wide-scale disease outbreaks that are contagious, particularly when they involve a new, previously unknown disease-causing agent, as is the case with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This fear and anxiety can especially affect people already suffering from anxiety, and repeated news cycles about the spread of coronavirus do not help this anxiety.

 

Children and teens may have a particularly hard time making sense of what's happening in such a scenario, given their pending brain maturation, their lack of experience, and their inherent suggestibility and vulnerability. Seemingly endless news cycles may feel overwhelming, confusing and scary to a child or teen. Children typically possess lesser abilities to decipher and understand from the news, the extent of risk that a disease outbreak poses to them or to their loved ones and friends. This can create a sense of panic amongst children. This may be more challenging when a child/teen is already suffering from an anxiety disorder or predisposed to feeling more anxious in unusual or new situations.

Managing Mental Health During COVID-19

 

During a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is common for everyone to experience increased levels of distress and anxiety, particularly as a result of social isolation. Physicians and other frontline health care professionals are particularly vulnerable to negative mental health effects as they strive to balance the duty of caring for patients with concerns about their own well-being and that of their family and friends.

 

Learn More About Strategies for Coping

Online Mental Health Resources to Help You During Isolation

 

With the coronavirus pandemic, it's important to check in on your mental well-being.

 

People are in an uncertain time with the coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic, which means it's more important than ever to evaluate your mental health.

 

Between social distancing and shelter-in-place orders adding to general panic, people might be experiencing more anxiety and depression than usual. When you are feeling isolated-like so many of us may be-it might be time to seek a support system.

 

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The Mental Health Happy Hour