Theresa Anthony
3 min
By Theresa Anthony
Today, completely out of nowhere, I flashed upon thoughts of my son and how difficult today's stress level would have been for him. I sense that he would have had a very hard time coping with the insane level of collective anxiety the world is now experiencing due to the coronavirus. Because I lost my 25 year old son to suicide due to co-occurring depression and alcoholism, I am particularly sensitive to the angst that upheaval and unrest can generate in those who are most vulnerable.
The truth is, I doubt my boy would have managed this well at all. I say this not to belittle him, but to simply highlight how afraid I myself am right now, someone who does not struggle with mental health issues. For someone who does, there is a heightened risk of emotional fallout. Consider these risks to mental wellness:
Limit exposure to the news. Yes, we all want to understand what is going on and how government officials are managing the crisis, but news overload can stress us out. Limit news coverage to a morning update and an early evening update, but fill the day with productive pursuits.
Get quality sleep. Because of underlying anxiety related to the virus news, take extra steps to ensure good quality sleep: Try taking a warm bath, or use aromatherapy to fill the air with lavender, rose, chamomile, or ylang ylang essential oils, listen to soothing music, avoid or limit caffeine, and shut down electronic devices one hour before bedtime.
Pray. For me, nothing helps to ease my mind and spirit better than praying. When something is beyond our control, reaching out to Jesus through heartfelt prayer gives us confidence that we are not alone, and reminds us to trust in Him.
Relaxation activities. When feelings of fear emerge, try practicing deep-breathing exercises. This involves taking slow, lung-filling breaths to the count of 4, holding the breath for 4 seconds, and then fully releasing the breath to the count of 4. Repeat 6 times. Other relaxation techniques we can do at home include using guided meditation apps or yoga videos available on YouTube.
For those who have an at-risk teen or young adult child, might I suggest that you keep a very close eye on them during this crisis. According to the health experts, the coronavirus will not peak for at least another 45 days before beginning to subside. The constant media coverage will ramp up as the numbers of people affected by the virus increase, which can be unsettling for individuals with a mental health and/or substance use disorder.
Please pay extra attention to these loved ones. Be available to them, ready to chat, support, and provide a safe place for them to share their feelings or articulate their fears. Just offering them your time and attention will mean so much. And by all means, if there are any signs of suicidal thoughts or planning, immediately contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
As we as a nation face the coming weeks of disruption and unease, let’s connect in our humanness and be there for each other. Knowing we are not alone, that we have each other, and that Almighty God loves us will make all the difference in how we manage the emotional effects of this historic event.