Taking stock of spiritual, mental health during a pandemic

By Enedelia J. Obregón | Senior Correspondent

COVID-19 has led to shuttered houses of worship and has isolated families at home for their own safety. Isolation can affect mental health. As Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in May, society has begun to recognize the importance of mental wellbeing during this pandemic, said Renee Brown, a licensed professional counselor and clinical supervisor at Catholic Charities of Central Texas.
“Typically, when people feel they are in crisis, mental health gets put on the back burner,” Brown said. “It needs to be on the front burner. It needs to be one of the first things we talk about. Good mental health sustains us during challenging times.”
The key to sustaining mental health is identifying negative changes in our daily lives such as too much or too little sleeping or eating.
It is not necessary to drink alcohol during the virtual happy hours that have become so popular, she said.
“Increasing our intake of alcohol or smoking are indicators of stress,” Brown said. “We are feeling isolated, confused and emotionally down or tired, even agitated.”
She recommended taking breaks when working from home and spending time reading, listening to music, meditating or praying. In addition, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy and exercise regularly, she said.
Experts also advise not watching or listening to the news all day long, instead tune into the news for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening.
Children and teenagers will also react to the stress of being unable to be with friends and staying at home. They may also struggle with school at home.
“Younger children will be more impacted,” Brown said. “They will cry easily and perhaps revert to bed wetting. They are scared.”
If parents are anxious, children will sense that, she said.
“Many kids feed off that energy,” Brown said. “It’s important to remind them they are safe. They need lots of reassurance.”
She stressed the importance of maintaining routines: Get up at a regular time, shower or bathe, do classwork and eat on a regular schedule.
Many families also have parents or grandparents they cannot see in person during this time. Keep in touch — and get children involved — by calling them or using Skype or FaceTime. Write letters and include children’s drawings to cheer up older folks who are also feeling isolated, she said.
Brown encouraged those who regularly see a counselor or therapist to continue to do so. Counseling can be done over the telephone or another medium. Tele-medicine is covered under the
HIPPA Laws. It is also important for those dealing with mental illness to continue taking their medications.
Physical separation, or social distancing, does not mean the end of one’s spiritual life, Brown said.
“We need to make sure our faith rules our hearts and emotions — not fear,” Brown said. “It’s important not to isolate ourselves from the body of Christ.”
She encouraged attending Sunday Mass and daily Mass via social media, television, radio and/or online, see the box on Page 6. Many parish groups are also meeting online. If you are part of a group that does not have an online presence, then create one, Brown said.
Now is also a good time to catch up on reading Catholic books and periodicals that may stack up during the busy times of life. A bit of social media is also helpful, but don’t overdo it, she said. Brown recently started following Pope Francis on Twitter.
“That can be a very positive part of prayer,” she said. She found great comfort in this recent quote from Pope Francis, “In the face of life’s difficulties let us ask the Lord for the strength to remain joyful witnesses to our faith.”
Brown also noted the traditions of praying the rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are good for those who struggle to focus.
“God has unlimited power,” she said. “He remains faithful.”
Serving others is another important way to practice our faith.
“You can offer to teach an online class or pray for others,” she said. “We can focus on practicing compassion. Call or write letters to parents or others who are homebound. They were always the strong ones, but now they may need support. Offer to buy groceries for those who can’t go out.”
Brown recently noticed one of her irises bloomed, so she took a photo and shared it.
“Sheltering in place does not mean you always have to stay inside,” she said. “You can walk — just stay six feet from others. You can experience joy by just going to your patio.”
Sadly, child abuse and domestic abuse rose during February and March, according to national reports. Those who are experiencing abuse should call 9-1-1. Emergency shelters for victims of abuse are open and ready to help. Brown encouraged people to have a safety plan in place before abuse occurs. Pack an emergency bag and have children’s birth certificates and Social Security cards readily available.
Brown said it is important to seek community at this time and to help build community. “We need to remember we are not alone,” she said.

Mental health resources for those who are struggling

• CCCTX offers counseling services on a sliding-scale fee. Services include virtual therapy, CCCTX counselors are available by calling (512) 651-6150 or (979) 822-9340 or visit www.ccctx.org/counseling-services.html.
• CCCTX also offers financial stability help, immigration legal services, help for families expecting a baby or who have a child from newborn to 36 months, help for veterans and disaster assistance for those affected by natural disasters. Call (512) 651-6100 or visit www.ccctx.org.
• Those experiencing domestic violence, should call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-779-SAFE (7233) or 9-1-1.
• For mental health resources, call NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Central Texas at (512) 420-9810 or NAMI Brazos Valley at 1-800-273-8255.
• Texas Health and Human Services has established the toll-free COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-986-1919. Call to get the help of a mental health professional in dealing with stress and other emotions that arise during the pandemic.