People were dying
from loneliness and have been way before a stay at home
order was set into place. People are dying from aggressive
behavior of their own and of others due to severe anxiety
and fear of the unknown. There is scientific evidence
that supports causes of death such as diabetes and heart
disease at same or higher rates of the consequences that
stem from loneliness, aggressive behavior and anxiety.
Suicide and homicide take surreal amounts of lives on a
daily basis and has been long before the outbreak of
Covid-19.
There are countless
reasons African-American communities have the highest rates
of fatalities of the cruelties of this world. There are
also countless historical times when African Americans as a
people have overcome, changed the world and survived.
Mental health is just as real and just as important as
physical health. It is your mental health that not only
determines your physical health but it can also determine
your fate. When you are not thinking clearly your feelings
are greatly affected which in turn rules your behavior. It
has never been the most physically strong person to win in
any scenario yet the most strategic. A sound mind gives a
sound body.
I often say to people
“get your mind right,” and then go from there. Depression
is real, anxiety is real, loneliness is real, psychosis is
real and to varying degrees. Some need hospitalization,
medications, counseling or a combination. Through my many
years of experience, sometimes we just need each other.
This community is filled with mental health providers.
This community is also filled with people who care. If you
need help seek it, if you know someone who needs help give
it. You don’t have to be a PhD psychologist to relieve the
feelings of loneliness for a person who has been shut in or
isolated from society. Sometimes the best medicine for your
own pain is to help someone else in pain. Share your story,
listen to theirs. Show that you care.
Access to professional
mental health care is problematic not just in this state and
in this city but period. There is no reason for any of us to
be suffering to the point of killing each other or
ourselves. Take a mental health moment and think about
three fundamental pillars of life….Faith, Hope, and Love.
Each day, each and everyone of us should empower Faith in
another human being which will give another life Hope to
live on and Love will endow us with a life worth living.
Together we can create a new normal devoid of the atrocities
we have so incurred on ourselves and one another by
stigmatizing the one thing we need most….a healthy mind
set.
Please seek out help
and realize none of us are exempt during these trying times
to become victim to an unhealthy mindset. I have listed a
few resources below but remember sometimes the best resource
is each other. I am providing as much pro bono counseling I
can possibly give, I hope that other professionals are doing
the same.
Resources for
loneliness – coalition to end social isolation and
loneliness
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cb224c5aadd34703fcd10b6/t/5e7d0a
224887e51518c9494a/1585252899325/COVID-19+CESIL+One-Pager+%28updated%29.pdf
For School Kids
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cb224c5aadd34703fcd10b6/t/5e8e4077cd
9b554048a5123c/1586380919516/CESIL+-+Beyond+Differences+Infographic+%28002%29.png
Covid-19 Resources
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cb224c5aadd34703fcd10b6/t/5e7d0aa9ad
724f2d67898171/1585253034102/CESIL+-+COVID19+Infographic+%28updated%29.png
https://thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Mental-Health_COVID-19-511.pdf
twitter
#isolatedNOTlonely
To find a mental health
provider you may get a list of providers from your insurance
company. You do not need a referral. You may also view
sites such as www.psychologytoday.com or www.goodtherapy.com
Lastly, if you find
yourself in a moment of crisis and unable to find help
around you, please call 911 or get to an emergency room.
ALL LIVES MATTER…..especially yours even when it doesn’t
seem like it and the pain is unbearable, don’t feel
embarrassed or ashamed as you will soon realize we are all
hurting in some way right now you are not alone.
Bernadette Graham
is a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, National
Certified Counselor and Certified Grief Recovery
Specialist. Provide feedback or reach out at
graham.bernadette@gmail.com For appointment information
please call 419.409.4929 (Telehealth is available for
ongoing and new clients at this time).
www.bjgrahamcounseling.com
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