Dear Neighbor,

Para ver este boletín electrónico en español, haga clic aquí.

If you are experiencing anxiety, fear, fatigue, isolation, or depression during this global pandemic, you are not alone. Americans across the country are reporting higher than usual levels of emotional stress—and this is completely normal and understandable.

We have seen significant changes to our daily lives as our movements are restricted to contain and slow down the spread of the coronavirus. We have been faced with new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with family members, friends, and colleagues. As we near the end of Mental Health Month, I want to share with you some information and resources you can access to help manage your stress.

Rep. Shalala's Coral Gables TeleTown Hall

Fear, worry, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats and when we are faced with uncertainty. Emotional stress brought on by an infectious disease outbreak can manifest in multiple ways—such as worry about your health, changes in sleep or eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, worsening of chronic health problems, worsening of mental health conditions, or increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Everyone reacts differently to stress, and some groups—such as older adults, caregivers, people with disabilities, people with chronic diseases, children and teenagers, essential workers, and people who were already managing mental health conditions before the COVID-19 crisis—are likely to respond more intensely to the stress of living through a pandemic.

The most important point I want you to remember is that you are not alone. I encourage you to check in with your friends and family to see how they are doing. Having open, honest conversations about emotional stress is an important part of taking care of yourself, your loved ones, and your community.

It’s also important to take breaks from the news—including social media. The fact that we’re experiencing a pandemic does not mean you have to constantly remind yourself of this reality. If you’re feeling stressed, you should limit your news intake and find ways to distract yourself from COVID-19 by reading, exercising, or doing other activities you enjoy.

We all have to remember to take care of our bodies—both to protect against potential sickness and to support your mental health. Try practicing breathing exercises, stretching, or meditating to unwind. Make sure you are eating healthy, well-balanced meals, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep. You should also avoid (or limit your use of) alcohol and drugs.

Finally, information can reduce stress. Understanding the risk to yourself and your loved ones can help you put things in perspective. There is a lot of misinformation about COVID-19 going around, and it’s important for all of us to do our part to quash rumors and only share accurate information.

Rep. Shalala in Oncology Nurse Society TeleTown Hall

If you are feeling overwhelmed with sadness, depression, or anxiety, or you are worried about harming yourself or others, you should reach out for help. There is no shame in asking for help. You can reach Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by calling 1 (800) 985-5990 or texting TalkWithUs to 66746. This line is open 24/7 and provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing distress due to a disaster like COVID-19. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 1 (800) 273-8255 to be connected to someone who can help. This line is staffed 24/7. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) operates a 24/7 Crisis Text Line that you can access by texting NAMI to 741-741. This line will connect you with a trained crisis counselor who provides free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. 

If you are experiencing domestic violence, you should contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1 (800) 799-7233. If you are unable to speak safely, you can text LOVEIS to 1 (866) 331-9474.

For non-crisis support, you can use the National Alliance Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine, a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information and support to people living with mental health conditions. This line is open from 10am to 6pm EST. Monday through Friday at 1 (800) 950-NAMI (6264). You can also email info@nami.org. Note that the NAMI HelpLine is not a hot line, crisis line or suicide prevention line. If you find that stress is interfering with your daily activities, you can also contact your healthcare provider to see what additional resources might be available to you.

Living through a pandemic is stressful, but with the proper support, it doesn’t have to be mentally debilitating. I encourage you to explore the resources available to you so you can get the support you need. We all need help in times like this—whether it’s in the form of financial support from the government or community organizations, physical care from physicians, aid from caretakers or family members, or mental health counseling. You don’t need to feel weak or ashamed for seeking help. The only way we can get through this is together—by supporting each other and sharing resources that can help our loved ones in need.

If you have concerns to share with me, you can always send me an email or call my office—use (305) 668-2285 to reach my Miami office and (202) 225-3931 to reach my D.C. office. My staff and I are practicing social distancing, but we are able to help you get the assistance and support you need via phone or email. We are also updating our website daily with resources for you during this challenging time: shalala.house.gov.

Stay safe and healthy,