Psychologist Mary Alvord, left, holds a video conference with her colleague, psychologist Veronica Raggi, whom she had scheduled to meet in person, in Chevy Chase, Md., Wednesday, March 18, 2020. For people with anxiety disorders, the coronavirus outbreak presents a new set of worries to deal with, psychologists say.
Steve Ruark / AP Photo
“We’re all in this together.” That is a sentiment that we’ve heard often during the last two months as the coronavirus has changed our ways of life significantly. Staying at home, not being able to visit or even communicate with others, losing jobs, worrying about our finances, and the anxieties that come with protecting ourselves from the COVID-19 virus and becoming ill.
All can affect our mental health.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has another motto — “You’re not in this alone.”
The COVID-19 pandemic may leave many feeling alone or not part of a larger community. Especially vulnerable are those who suffered from a mental illness before their worlds were turned upside down.
The restrictions may have an impact on their state-of-mind and treatment.
On Thursday’s Smart Talk we’ll discuss mental health during the pandemic with Christine Michaels, National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania, along with Richard S. Edley, PhD., President/CEO, Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association. NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania helpline: 1888-264-7972
Also, Republican State Senator Scott Martin is one of several Lancaster County government and local officials who have questioned why Lancaster County has been designated as a southeastern county in the state’s plan to lift coronavirus restrictions. Martin and others say the county is more like those in the south central region and not the heavily populated southeastern counties that may be under restrictions longer than other areas of the state.
It’s one of the topics we’ll talk about with Sen. Martin about on Thursday’s Smart Talk.
