HJAR Sep/Oct 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I SEP / OCT 2020 13 Some say the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be worse for most than actually having the disease. Worry, stress, isolation, financial strain, fear, disruption, new roles, and death all come with the pandemic, and may linger long after the virus has run its course. If you were to diagnose the United States right now from a mental health perspective, what would be your assessment? The United States is experiencing grief. People frequently identify grief with the loss of a person or pet. However, it can also occur with a loss or significant change in a person’s job, relationship, or way of life. With grief comes anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep disturbances, and possibly, anger. We are in the midst of a very surprising and traumat- ic experience. The uncertainty of tomorrow, the fear of the unknown, and the inability to travel have people on edge. How about Arkansas as a whole? Arkansans are experiencing the same grief. People have noticed themselves getting anx- ious staying at home, getting anxious going to the grocery store, and getting anxious seeing their elderly parents. Stress is usually based in anxiety, and it is safe to say that we all have felt strained during this time. The persistent worry has caused manyArkansans to strug- gle with sleep, focus, and paying attention to details. You may discover yourself snapping at your spouse over very small things, or find- ing yourself taking a considerable amount of time to complete a task that is generally simple for you. These symptoms are quite common, and it is important to give yourself and your families kindness and compassion during this time. What is your vision of optimal men- tal health during this pandemic, and how does it differ from good mental health at other times? Optimal mental health during this pan- demic includes giving yourself more grace than you ever have before. Every day will not be your best. However, putting in structure perfection. All assignments may not be aced this year, but they can be completed. There are likely to be changes throughout the school year, and these changes may be challenging. Children thrive on play and fun, therefore, I recommend taking frequent breaks. If homeschooling, try to take a ten- minute break every hour to get up and dance, go outside, or possibly spend a few minutes doing yoga. If your children are returning to the physical classroom, try to go for a na- ture walk right after school, make a puppet theater, or maybe sneak in a few minutes of their favorite show on TV. We need to take these brain breaks too. We must remember that children are very smart, and can sense when we are tense. When parents deal with things calmly, they can provide the best sup- port for their children. What is your mental health advice to the elderly? Participation is the best mental health ad- vice I can provide. Cognitive exercises such as crossword puzzles and reading keeps the brain active, while physical exercise can be beneficial for the whole body. However, the most important tip is to reduce the time spent listening to rumors, and looking at can be very helpful during this time. No matter if you are an essential worker, stay at home mom, or working from home, try to get out of bed around the same time daily. This simple task will keep your brain in some sort of routine. Light therapy and exercise have been found to reduce symptoms of depression and improve anxiety, so try to get some sunlight. That could be going out- side for a walk early in the morning, jogging with your dog late in the evening, or hiking with your children at Pinnacle Mountain on the weekends. This vision is slightly different than my normal recommendations for good men- tal health. Community is so important for us, and socialization is different for us now. The touch aspect is lost, and I would usu- ally recommend that in the “old normal.” We are in the age of Zoom meetings and physically distancing dinners with friends on large lawns. Now we must focus on not returning to normal, but on becoming better. What is your mental health advice to school-age children and parents this fall? When considering children, parent- ing, and schooling, think progress, not With grief comes anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep disturbances, and possibly, anger.