(Audubon) The Audubon County COVID-19 Community Partners released the following information about COVID-19 and your Mental Health.
Health Officials say everyone reacts differently to stressful situations such as the COVID-19 outbreak and these reactions can be completely normal, for example;
*Anxiety, worry, or fear related to your health status and those you care about.
*Frustration at the challenge of securing things you need, such as groceries and personal care items.
*Concern about effectively caring for children, parents, or others in your care.
*Uncertainty or frustration about how long you will need to remain in this situation.
*Loneliness and feeling cut off from your regular routine.
*Anger if you think you were exposed to the disease.
*Boredom and frustration if you are unable to engage in regular day-to-day activities.
*Unease about your financial situation and the future of the economy
*Ambivalence or uncertainty about the situation or
*Disappointment for cancelled events with family and friends closed restaurants and gathering places
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the changes in daily life it has caused can be stressful. Fear and anxiety about the virus can be overwhelming and generate strong emotions in adults and children. The Audubon County COVID-19 Community partners remind residents that are effectively coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and our community stronger.
Stress reactions can include changes in sleep or eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, worsening of chronic health problems, and worsening of mental health conditions, this can lead to increased use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs or increased violent behaviors such as domestic abuse.”
It’s important to take care of yourself and your family. Here are some tips for coping with stress:
*Stay calm: recognize when other people’s emotions are influencing your own.
*Unplug: information, real or fake, is a constant in today’s society. It’s important to have facts and stay up-to-date, but it’s also essential to take breaks and unplug from the information stream.
*Create quality sleep, make exercise, and healthy eating your priorities: take time to prepare healthy food, be active and get 8 hours of sleep.
*Be educated: one way to address anxiety is to focus on what you can control, like washing your hands and practicing social distancing. Being in control of your own behavior helps lessen the stress caused by fear of the unknown.
When symptoms associated with stressful situations affect your ability to function in some part of your life, it’s time to reach out to people you trust to talk about your feelings or if needed contact an expert;
*Lois Potthoff, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, provides mental health services at Audubon County Memorial Hospital & Clinics. Lois specializes in trauma, attachment, developmental disorders, and family and couples counseling. Lois is accepting new patients and works with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. She is currently also offering telehealth/virtual therapy during the COVID-19 crisis for those that choose it. You can schedule an appointment with Lois by calling Audubon County Memorial Hospital at 712-563-5304.
*For substance abuse Counseling or assessment and you reside in Audubon, Carroll, Greene, Guthrie, or Sac Counties phone New Opportunities at 712-792-9266.
*For Domestic Violence anywhere in Iowa phone Catholic Charities 24 hour crisis line at 888-612-0266.
Governor Reynolds announced in her press conference on April 21st a new testing initiative to help increase broad-scale testing in the state.
“Test Iowa” is a public-private partnership between the state of Iowa and multiple health and data companies and is only available via the website testiowa.com.
According to Reynolds, the initiative will make available 540,000 tests to increase the state’s testing capacity by up to 3,000 additional tests per day.
The Test Iowa Initiative includes an assessment that was developed in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health. It will better inform all Iowans of their current health status, whether or not they should get a COVID-19 test, and instructions on how to get tested. The assessment asks about existing symptoms and occupational considerations.
Currently, there are no “Test Iowa” testing sites located in Audubon or the surrounding counties but may at a later date, please go to testiowa.com for more information and current testing sites.
