Is there a right way to worry about coronavirus? And other mental health tips
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 MORE“This is going to compound your problems”: Coronavirus poses new challenge for many with mental illness
Posted 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 MOREThe mental health cost of containing the coronavirus outbreak
Posted 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 MORE8 Easy, Not-Stressful Things You Can Do Right Now to Feel Better
Posted 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 MOREIt’s not a hotline, it’s a ‘warmline’: It gives mental health help before a crisis heats up
Posted on December 4, 2019
USA Today
Unlike a hotline for those in immediate crisis, warmlines provide early intervention with emotional support that can prevent a crisis – and a more costly 911 call or ER visit. The lines are typically free, confidential peer-support services staffed by volunteers or paid employees who have experienced mental health conditions themselves. "It's unimaginable, hard to conceptualize, for those who don't work in this field, what the level of need really is," said Quinn Anderson, who manages the NAMI HelpLine.
READ MOREMental Health Coverage Continues to Fall Short, Study Shows
Posted on November 20, 2019
Bloomberg
More Americans turn to out-of-network providers when seeking mental health care than when seeking medical care, and the trend continues to worsen, a new study shows, despite a law designed to prevent this problem for people seeking treatment for conditions such as depression and addiction. “This report shows that Americans continue to face barriers to mental health care perpetuated by insurance companies, such as red tape and lack of in-network providers,” says Angela Kimball, acting CEO. “The current situation is putting lives at risk.”
READ MOREThere Aren’t Enough Mental Health Providers. And Kids Are Paying The Price.
Posted on November 4, 2019
HuffPost
Reports on research that finds most counties in the U.S. don't have a single child psychiatrist. A new study published in the journal Pediatrics highlights the urgent, unmet need for more pediatric mental health providers in this country. “This is not an acceptable situation that we have. We have a gross shortage of the most trained people at a time of high suicide,” said Dr. Ken Duckworth, medical director.
READ MOREBILL OF THE MONTH: Grief Grew Into A Mental Health Crisis And A $21,634 Hospital Bill
Posted on October 31, 2019
Kaiser Health News
Arline Feilen arrived in the ER on a mid-May night and was moved to a shared room in the inpatient psychiatric unit the next day. In total, she spent five nights in the hospital. Feilen had an association plan which doesn’t have to include the 10 “essential health benefits” required under the federal ACA, such as mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Jennifer Snow, acting national director for advocacy and public policy, said the type of plan Feilen has is “allowed to undermine the ACA.”
READ MORESchools nationwide are offering mental health days to address growing issues among teens
Posted on October 24, 2019
Yahoo! Lifestyle
Reports the latest endeavor of Generation Z to enact mental health days in schools nationwide. Jennifer Rothman, senior manager of youth and young adult initiatives at NAMI, says it’s this awareness among teens that is fueling the change nationwide.
READ MOREStop The Stigma: Student Groups, Professionals Pushing To Raise Awareness On Mental Illness Treatment
Posted on October 23, 2019
CBS News
Video segment about Cecilia McGough and her group, Students With Schizophrenia, that includes an interview of Angela Kimball, acting CEO.
READ MORE