DUTCHESS COUNTY — Spotlighting the importance of mental health awareness during the coronavirus pandemic, the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights (DCCHR) invited the public to take part in the COVID-19 Virtual Community Health Forums on Wellness and Mental Health series held on Tuesday, June 2, and Thursday, June 4.
Hosted by the DCCHR and the Poughkeepsie Health Black & Latinx Coalition, the first forum in English on Tuesday, June 2, while the second was in Spanish on Thursday, June 4. Both held via Zoom, they featured Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH) Commissioner Anil Vaidian; Chief Psychologist Ellen Marx from the DBCH Trauma Team; and Certified Health Care Navigator Marylen Irizarry-Moyer from the Public Policy Education Fund of New York as the key speakers.
Speaking as a Human Rights/EEO Officer for the DCCHR, Jody Miller initiated the conversation by talking about the commission’s mission in defending human rights, bridging differences and embracing diversity. She acknowledged the forum’s timing in relation to “the unrest happening throughout the country,” referencing both COVID-19 and the recent country-wide protests in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed in Minneapolis, Minn., after his arrest by a White ex-police officer.
“There is a direct link between the reason we are gathering here today and what is taking place throughout our nation,” Miller said. “We must value the lives of black and brown people and to do that, we must change the unjust inequities that exist. This includes the disproportionate toll that the COVID-19 epidemic has taken on the Black and Latinx communities.”
Vaidian said the focus on COVID-19 has been based on past pandemics, and clinical and medical outcomes rather than the emotional and mental health toll the crisis has taken.
Vaidian said, “We’re looking at this in a very holistic and comprehensive way.”
He explained coronavirus is quite common and affects both humans and animals, but COVID-19 is unique because it made the interspecies jump from animal to human. Recalling past experiences with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2012, he talked about how the U.S. is now dealing with a novel virus humans have never seen before and therefore haven’t built any antibodies to combat.
Marx talked about the DBCH Trauma Team’s awareness of the cultural stigma surrounding communities of color seeking or staying in treatment. She assured people the team is available to support mental health and addiction recovery. Addressing the emotional stress of COVID-19, Marx emphasized how important it is for people to realize the emotions they’re feeling are normal.
“We’re all on high alert in terms of ‘Am I safe?’ ‘Am I keeping my family safe?’ ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ ‘Am I protecting myself?’” she said. “You can become exhausted and that’s important that you recognize that so you can cope with your level of energy and your physical reactions.”
Marx advised listeners to pace themselves, keep a routine at home, limit their news exposure, exercise and let themselves feel connected to others. Projecting a flyer of available mental health services in Dutchess County, she provided a comprehensive list of resources and organizations.
Irizarry-Moyer talked about a special enrollment period on Monday, June 15, for anyone in need of insurance or needing to renew. She also discussed how to qualify for New York State of Health coverage, at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling the help line at 845-355-5777.
"impact" - Google News
June 10, 2020 at 09:24PM
https://ift.tt/3dV0NNu
Addressing COVID's mental health impact - Tri Corner News
"impact" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2RIFll8
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Addressing COVID's mental health impact - Tri Corner News"
Post a Comment