A Word about the Quarantine and a Resource Guide
Although
the current quarantine has disrupted our normal routines and can be downright
rough at times, my family is doing the best we can to keep our minds and bodies
active! Personally, I sort of feel like this quarantine is bringing us back to
a time when "family" was the epicenter of everything. Does this make
sense or ring true to you? At the present moment, everything is on pause. We
really can't go anywhere (other than essential workers or food shopping). So,
how are you choosing to spend your time, since it's a gift??
I
have been thoroughly enjoying spending quality time with my family, and am
thankful that we have been able to use this time to connect on a deeper level.
We have had the opportunity to do activities that our regular schedules would
not allow, such as hiking together on a perfectly sunny day in the afternoon,
in the middle of the week. We have been sharing three meals a day together for
over a week and a half, playing Uno, doing food challenges, cooking together,
reading together, watching family movies, biking, playing board games and hide
and seek, building forts, telling jokes, learning about God together, doing
crafts and science projects, and the list goes on! I have also seen plenty of
creative ideas from my friends on Facebook, which I appreciate. Our Pastor's
wife was sharing how her family has chosen to watch old family videos together,
which is an excellent time for bonding and laughs!
Maintaining Mental Health is Crucial
My
husband and I are mental health professionals, so we are putting a lot of focus
on how we can maintain our sanity while
being a good example during a stressful time for our kids. While I am staying
informed about important matters, I am limiting any news consumption and social
media that has the potential to foster "anxiety" for myself and my
family. Remember, our kids are listening and watching our responses to this
challenging and uncertain time. How we manage our anxiety will significantly impact our
kids, so you need to get a "strategy" (one of my favorite lines from
Silver Linings)! 🤣
Anxiety Overview
Keeping
your worries in check will help your whole family navigate this uncertain situation as a
healthy unit. Know your triggers, and pay attention to your body's signs. Often
your body will feel the effects of stress before your mind is even aware (i.e.,
heart palpitations, altered breathing, stomach distress, etc.).
Firstly,
for those overwhelming moments of anxiety, try to avoid speaking about your
concerns within earshot of children. If you’re feeling really anxious, step away and take a break. This
part will look different for everyone! It could look like taking a shower,
listening to music, meditating on Scripture/God's promises, praying, going
outside, exercising, painting/drawing, doing crafts, cooking/baking, or going
into another room to practice deep breathing exercises. Self-care is vital!
There are many mental health applications available (for free) that could help
you manage your anxiety and mood by teaching you healthy coping skills. I like
Sanvello; however, you have numerous options:
Visit here for more mental health apps:
Additionally,
telemental health is readily available from the privacy of your own home and
is exploding right now!
Telemental health resources:
I
encourage you to find the source of anxiety. This may mean you'll have to turn
the TV off, mute/unfollow friends or co-workers who are prone to sharing
panic-inducing posts, or take a brief hiatus from social media if you find that
it is stealing your peace.
Your
Focus is your Reality
I
am intentionally choosing to enjoy the stillness and focus on the positive
aspects of this situation (i.e., time of rest/recuperation, bonding time with
family, etc.), while trusting God's plan for my life (Romans 8:28) and drawing
near to both Him and my family.
Victor
Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, as well as a Holocaust survivor once said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last
of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of
circumstances, to choose one's own way.” Victor had it right! Your mind can
either be a prison holding you captive or a portal to greater things and
places. If a man, who was in the midst of one of the greatest afflictions the
world has ever seen (i.e., facing illness, starvation, torture, and death
daily), could maintain this positive outlook on life, so can we!
You
may be overwhelmed with fear, panic, or grief, due to the
"uncertainty" of your future and changes in our environment; however,
God says He is able to give us peace in the midst of life's storms that the world cannot:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid"
(John 14:27).
If
anyone needs someone to talk to, please feel free to reach out to me. I
am a licensed mental health professional and am trauma certified. You can find my listener profile here, in which I am offering free services. What I like about this platform, is that you can make your own screen name, which allows you to conceal your identity. If you need
prayer, send me a message, and my family will pray for you!
Resources
List:
Food Pantries
by State:
DIAL: 2-1-1
Types
of Referrals Offered by 211: 211
provides callers in all or part of 50 states with information about and
referrals to social services for every day needs and in times of crisis. For
example, 2-1-1 can offer access to the following types of services:
- Basic Human Needs Resources – including food and clothing, shelters, housing, utility assistance.
- Disaster Response and Recovery – works with the emergency management team during a disaster to offer support and place for dissemination of information.
- Mental Health and Health Resources – including counseling, support groups, drug and alcohol treatment, health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health resources, health insurance programs for children, medical information lines, clinics, and hospitals.
- Employment Supports – including job training, employment services, transportation assistance, and education programs.
- Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities – including adult daycare, community meals, respite care, home health care, transportation and homemaker services.
- Children, Youth and Family Support – including child care, after school programs, educational programs for low-income families, family resource centers, and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.
- Volunteer Opportunities and Donations – Individuals who wish to donate time, goods or money to community organizations can find this information by dialing 211.
Carbon County Resources:
Monroe County Resources:
Lackawanna County Resources:
Luzerne Country Resources:
