As the COVID-19 pandemic rages, do not ignore your mental health | Kley

Just as things seemed like they were getting closer to normal in New Jersey, COVID-19 infection rates are soaring across the rest of the country. As a result, Gov. Phil Murphy in an abundance of caution has taken several painful but necessary steps to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our state. These moves come at a time when it is only natural for New Jerseyans to want to be sunning themselves on our wonderful beaches, relaxing in our beautiful parks, and socializing with friends and family at large gatherings and neighborhood barbecues. And as reports of spikes in infections and hospitalizations in many states flood the airwaves, Garden State residents are taking notice -- and experiencing a dreaded sense of déj... vu.

<!-- 5445060002 -->

Over the course of months, we’ve sacrificed so much. We stayed in home quarantine. We put Herculean efforts into flattening the infection curve, and with success. But now we are left wondering if all of the effort and the hardship were for naught. The thought of moving backwards can be depressing, overwhelming, frustrating and downright infuriating.

These feelings are normal, and not unexpected. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, feelings of hopelessness and vulnerability build. It is natural to feel helpless. It’s not just you. You are not alone.

<strong style="margin-right:3px;">More: COVID-19 in Monmouth County: Town-by-town list for July 12

A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that nearly half (45%) of adults in the United States reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the virus.

It is tempting to believe that all of the hard work that New Jerseyans put into flattening the COVID-19 infection curve would have returned us to a sense of normalcy by now. But the fact is, this virus is insidious. The physical toll has been well documented, but the mental health and wellness burden can be every bit as devastating. Fear and isolation. Feelings of despair and desperation. Loneliness, anxiety, anger, grief and feelings of disconnection have become widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. Calls to suicide prevention lines are up, as are overdose deaths. We are in a full-blown mental health crisis.

The good news is there are free and confidential resources available to help all New Jersey residents through this difficult time. The New Jersey Hope and Healing Crisis Counseling Program is available to help. The mission of the New Jersey Hope and Healing Crisis Counseling Program is to assist individuals and communities in recovering from the effects of natural and human-caused disasters through the provision of community-based outreach and psycho-educational services. This need is especially acute during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Anyone who is experiencing any feelings of depression or loneliness is urged to call the New Jersey MentalHealthCares helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357). Trained staff are on call to provide emotional support and referrals for crisis counseling when needed, or to simply listen to a caller’s problems and concerns. The helpline is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. It has the ability to quickly patch in interpreters fluent in 165 languages. Help is free and confidential.

<style>.oembed-frame { width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0; border: 0; }</style> Make it even easier to read the latest opinions from APP.com by downloading our mobile app today.

In addition, a texting option is available. New Jersey residents can text NJHOPE to 51684 to be connected with a specialist who can answer questions, provide emotional support or referrals to needed resources from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. People may also opt in for comforting and nurturing care messages delivered via mobile phone to help them cope with emotional stress on a longer-term, ongoing basis.

The bottom line is this: although we had hoped to be seeing the COVID-19 crisis disappearing in our rear-view mirrors at this juncture, the facts show that we have far to go. And coupled with the physical toll of the virus, the mental health implications cannot and must not be ignored. If you or a loved one is in need, don’t wait. Call the New Jersey MentalHealthCares helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357) now or text NJHOPE to 51684.

Robert J. Kley is chief operating officer and vice president of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: As the COVID-19 pandemic rages, do not ignore your mental health | Kley

___

(c)2020 the Asbury Park Press (Neptune, N.J.)

Visit the Asbury Park Press (Neptune, N.J.) at www.app.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.