Coping with the Pandemic for the Long Haul

Watch the program here:

The Lopez Library and the Prevention Coalition present a program focused on addressing mental health during the pandemic. This program brings together local therapists to discuss strategies to address our own and our families’ emotional and mental health needs as we continue to confront the harsh realities of the continuance of the COVID-19 crisis. Our collective experience as islanders navigating the pandemic thus far has given us skills, tested our abilities and reminded us of the importance of community and the generosity and patience of public health officials. As we continue to face this on-going crisis, it’s increasingly important that we take stock and take care of our mental health and wellness.

Questions that were addressed during the program include:

• What trends mental healthcare providers have noticed in their practices and can likely attribute to the pandemic.
• Suggestions for how to address and reduce anxiety, and its effects on sleep.
• Whether the stress we feel can be addressed with or without the help of a therapist
• How to de-escalate stress in our children
• How to re-focus negative thinking, and the value of positive thinking during this time.
• How to overcome fear and anger (directed towards people choosing not to follow safety precautions), which is limiting our ability to go about our daily routines.

Therapists participating in the discussion are: