HJAR May/Jun 2021

DIRECTOR’S DESK ALOGUE COLUMN SECRETARY’S CORNER & THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Mental Health IT MAY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE to talk about mental health and suicide, because a stigma remains attached to these topics in certain communities. However, it is important to get help if you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, has concerns about their mental health or has thought about suicide. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on everyone — including healthcare workers — and taking care of our mental health is as important as taking care of our physical health. Healthcare workers should not only talk to patients about mental health issues they may be having, but also look for nonverbal clues that may suggest there is a problem. Suicide is among the leading causes of death in Arkansas. Most people who are having thoughts of suicide give some warning signs indicating they are in crisis. The CDC lists some warning signs as: talking about wanting to die; looking for a way to kill oneself; talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose; talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain; talking about being a burden to others; increasing the use of alcohol or drugs; acting anxious, agitated or recklessly; sleeping too little or too much; withdrawing or feeling isolated; showing rage or talking about seeking revenge; and/ or displaying extreme mood swings. 38 MAY / JUN 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS