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Mental Health is Essential!

NARCOG is pleased to share resources to keep you and those you love mentally healthy during this pandemic.  Here are some great tips from our partners at the Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama.  There are also a number of podcasts available from our friends at Covenant Counseling and Consulting.  See information on how to contact these providers below.  You can also contact our Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 256-355-4515, ext. 245 for help in locating services in your area. An important announcement from Medicare and the coverage of mental health services follows:

Medicare Covers Mental Health Services If you have Medicare and you're feeling anxious or depressed during these stressful and uncertain times, make sure you call your doctor or a healthcare professional. Medicare covers a number of services to support you, including outpatient mental health services like a depression screening, individual and group psychotherapy, and family counseling. Counseling services via telehealth may be available to you. Be sure to check, as some healthcare providers and plans are reducing or waiving the amount you pay for telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Always take care of your mental health, and call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row. Visit Medicare.gov or CDC.gov for more information. This message is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 Alabama Apart Together - Feeling Stressed or Anxious

Covenant Dark Logo                                        MH IS Essential WF2

http://www.covenantcc.co/home.html                                                            https://www.mhcnca.org/ 

Covenant Connections Podcast Episodes include the following:

  • COVID-19 and Loneliness
  • COVID-19 and Anxiety
  • Be a Better Spouse in Quarantine
  • And more.... find all of the podcasts here. 

 

The Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama has been your community based treatment provider since 1967. Outpatient psychiatric and counseling services are available in Lawrence, Limestone, and Morgan County. Help is available!

Last year, the Mental Health Center provided mental health treatment to thousands of children and adults in north central Alabama. If you know of someone that may need psychiatric or mental health services, please call our central intake office, ACCESS at (256) 355-5904 or (800) 365-6008. All calls are confidential.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful—it can be difficult to cope with fear and anxiety, changing daily routines, and a general sense of uncertainty. Although people respond to stressful situations in different ways, taking steps to care for yourself and your family can help you manage stress.

According to the *National Institute of Mental Health Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include:

·       Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones

·       Changes in sleep or eating patterns

·       Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

·       Worsening of chronic health problems

·       Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Things you can do to support yourself:

·       Take breaks from the news. Set aside periods of time each day during which you close your news and social media feeds and turn off the TV. Give yourself some time and space to think about and focus on other things.

·       Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat regular, well-balanced meals; get some physical activity every day; give yourself time to get a full night’s sleep; and avoid alcohol and drugs.

·       Make time to unwind. Try to engage in activities and hobbies you enjoy. Engaging in these activities offers an important outlet for pleasure, fun, and creativity.

·       Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Digital tools can help keep you stay connected with friends, family, and neighbors when you aren’t able to see them in person.

·       Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done today and what can wait. Priorities may shift to reflect changes in schedules and routines and that is okay. Recognize what you have accomplished at the end of the day.

 

·       Focus on the facts. Sharing the facts (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/share-facts.html) about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful.

*www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2020/supporting-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.shtml

Mental Health Center of North Central Alabama, Inc. 1316 Somerville Road, SE, Ste. 1, Decatur, AL 35601

(256) 355-5904 – www.mhcnca.org

Any reference to a business, provider or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by NARCOG.

 

on Thursday, 09 April 2020.