Amid the unknowns associated with COVID-19, mental health professionals want the public to know it鈥檚 normal to feel anxious and are offering advice about how to cope.
鈥淚t鈥檚 okay to say, 鈥業鈥檓 afraid,'” Dr. Jemima Kankam said, adding that it鈥榮 important to talk about coronavirus concerns, even if it鈥檚 just to vent.
鈥淪ometimes people think: 鈥業f I talk about it, it might mean that I鈥檓 weak.鈥� No, it鈥檚 OK,鈥� Kankam said, recommending it may be helpful to talk with a friend, family member, colleague, someone from your faith group or association.
鈥淪ometimes, it takes somebody to remind us there鈥檚 another side. That the world is still there,鈥� she advised.
How should parents talk about the pandemic with kids? Ask lots of questions, Kankam said.
鈥淲e adults sometimes have a tendency to think we know what鈥檚 in the head of our children,鈥� Kankam said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 impose it on them.鈥�
She said to ask questions like:
- What do you know?
- What are you hearing?
- What do you think?
If children are anxious, offer balance and perspective.
鈥淪ay people are working on it. It鈥檚 good to know there鈥檚 something being done about it,鈥� Kankam noted.
In addition, try to have fun, Kankam said. Make a game out of hand washing, let kids get on the phone with friends, talk about and do things not related to the pandemic and embrace family-time activities.
鈥淵ou may have only one television 鈥� don鈥檛 binge on (coronavirus coverage) while they鈥檙e sitting there all day long and forget they also are watching it with you,鈥� Kankam said.
If coronavirus concerns begin stressing you out, Kankam recommends taking a break.
鈥淲e have control over what we watch, what we read and how much we process,鈥� she notes.
Take a walk, exercise, think about other things and talk with someone who reminds you other things are going on, she said. It’s also essential to eat well and get plenty of sleep.
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Signs anxiety is becoming an illness of its own suggesting you might need professional help include persistent, multi-day symptoms of:
- Losing sleep.
- Not wanting to eat.
- Lack of concentration.
- Can鈥檛 think about anything but coronavirus.
For help, you can call the helpline at 800-950-6264.
If you feel you鈥檙e in a crisis, you can text NAMI TO 741741.
The number is 800-273-TALK (8255).
A final bit of advice from Kankam is to be kind and say thank you.
鈥淚t helps,鈥� Kankam said. 鈥淲e will get through this. The world has gotten through terrible things in the past, so let鈥檚 remember we can get through this too.鈥�
