In situations such as concern around COVID-19, the Coronavirus, many people experience increased stress, anxiousness and panic. The constant stream of articles being shared on social media and televised news reports can increase feelings of worry and uncertainty. To manage such situations, it is important to:
- Reference accurate prevention information, and reliable, factual resources such as the World Health Organization, the CDC and the City of Philadelphia in order to distinguish facts from rumors.
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories and avoid constant conversation with others about subjects that are distressing. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Seek information at specific times once or twice a day.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle – including proper diet, sleep, and exercise.
- Stay connected with others online or over the phone even if you are maintaining your physical distance.
- Take deep breaths, stretch or meditate. Distract yourself if feeling anxious, and do things that you enjoy doing.
- Ask your healthcare provider about tele-therapy or online mental health services if you need support and feel uneasy about attending therapy sessions outside the home.
- Request an increased supply of prescription medication or refill your medications as soon as they are allowed.
Take a moment to review these resources to stay informed and mentally well:
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- From the World Health Organization:
- From Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
- From the National Association of School Psychologists
- From CNN, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Chief Medical Officer discusses managing your mental health in light of the coronavirus (video):
- From the CDC (video):
