News & Discussion

CMHA-CEI Recommendations for Coping with Stress - Including Free Behavioral Health Screening

April 23, 2020
PRESS RELEASE

LANSING - Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) offers recommendations for coping with stress and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a free and confidential online behavioral health screening.

While necessary for public health and safety, many of the current restrictions associated with social distancing, quarantine, and isolation can also cause emotional distress. The American Psychological Association notes that common responses to social restrictions can include fear, anxiety, depression, boredom, anger, frustration, and irritability.

A behavioral health screening is a simple way to check in with oneself during stressful or emotionally challenging times, and it is the quickest way to determine if it would be helpful to connect with a behavioral health professional. Free, confidential behavioral health screenings are available from CMHA-CEI on their website at https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/cei. These screenings are available on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All responses are completely anonymous, and results, recommendations, and key resources are provided immediately following the brief questionnaire.

Recommendations to help mitigate feelings of stress and discomfort include:

1. Monitoring for signs of stress.  Everyone responds differently to stressful situations. Common signs of stress can include trouble sleeping or eating, difficulty concentrating, increased fear or worrying, irritability, crying, and increased substance use.  Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham residents experiencing stress related to COVID-19 are invited to call the CMHA-CEI COVID-19 Support Line to speak with a mental health professional. The support line is being operated Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-4:30PM and can be reached at (517) 237-7100. Individuals do not have to be receiving services at CMHA-CEI, or have a mental health diagnosis of any kind, to access the support line.

2. Staying physically healthy.  Even while staying at home, maintaining physical health is an important part of managing stress. It’s important to eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Go outside for walks and to get fresh air, just make sure to give others 6 feet of space as you pass. Additionally, many exercise videos are available online for free.

3. Prioritizing rest and fun.  It’s important to carve out time for activities that are relaxing and fun. Spending time meditating or doing yoga can help to manage anxious feelings. Healthy amounts of distraction; like watching movies, playing a board game, learning a new skill like knitting or baking, or catching up on some reading is also helpful. Check in with friends and family virtually- try hosting a virtual movie night or a dinner party.

4. Staying informed, but set boundaries.  While it’s important to stay updated and informed as the pandemic progresses, too much exposure to bad news can wear on one’s mental health. It’s okay to ask others for a break from discussing the pandemic. Turn off the news and limit time on social media each day to take mental breaks.

CMHA-CEI remains dedicated to continuing to connect community members to essential behavioral health services throughout this challenging time and beyond, and continues to operate by the message shared in the agency tagline, ‘Together We Can.” Latest updates about services and resources can be found at www.ceicmh.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ceicmh.