Posted on March 19, 2020
The Guardian
In the face of indefinite isolation, contagion, financial uncertainty, and with no return to normality in sight, coronavirus is taking its toll on our collective mental health. “If you’re losing sleep over what’s happening or you’re unable to concentrate on anything other than the risk...you should probably consider [lowering] your dose of media to once a day,” says Dr. Ken Duckworth, medical director of NAMI. Exercise and helping others may also give you a happiness boost and sense of purpose.
READ MOREPosted on March 16, 2020
CBS News
An estimated 1 in 5 people in the U.S. suffer from mental illness, and 1 in 25 from severe mental illness, according to NAMI. "If you already have an anxiety disorder...or unstable housing, or you're already isolated, this is going to compound your problems," said Dr. Ken Duckworth, medical director of NAMI. "Even though we are distancing ourselves physically, we should not be distancing ourselves socially...this collective crisis should bring people together in spirit and support if not in proximity," Katherine Ponte, NAMI-NYC board member said.
READ MOREPosted on March 13, 2020
The Hill: Changing America
"We have seen an uptick [in calls to the NAMI hotline] and we’re beginning to track the calls related to COVID-19," Dawn Brown said. One caller was grieving a loved one who died of the disease in Japan, while another reported thoughts of suicide over concerns they would lose their job. Some callers have unstable housing or are homeless, while others are smokers, a group that is at a high risk for COVID-19. “We’ll weather this,” Brown said. “Strength and resilience is what will get us through.”
READ MOREPosted on March 13, 2020
Cosmopolitan
The coronavirus pandemic is anxiety-inducing and this article provides tips to navigate the associated stress. Hopefully you are able to hunker down at home for the next couple weeks and practice "social distancing" to limit the spread of COVID-19. But canceling plans and hanging at your apartment can be lonely and just plain weird. While you're working from home, "a routine that mirrors the office life's daily patterns and practices can be helpful," according to Katrina Gay, National Director of Strategic Partnerships at NAMI.
READ MORENAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
