HJBR Sep/Oct 2020

16 SEP / OCT 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE MENTAL HEALTH Some say the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be worse for most than actually having the disease. Worry, stress, isolation, financial strain, fear, disruption, new roles, and death all come with the pandemic, and may linger long after the virus has run its course. If you were to diagnose the United States right now from a mental health perspec- tive, what would be your assessment? When fear is right at the forefront of our minds, it really forces us to face our vul- nerabilities. But it can be hard to accept that we can’t control everything around us, and that we are vulnerable in certain situations. Right now especially, we need to create a space that allows us to accept those vulnerabilities and work on building up our strengths. If not, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness can creep in. I think what we’re seeing now is many people skipping that critical step of reflecting on their men- tal wellbeing. How about Baton Rouge as a whole? In Baton Rouge, at this time of the year many of us would be gearing up to be to- gether and enjoy one of our favorite past times—football. This is a great example of ways our community is continuing to ex- perience change that requires adaptation. We’ve been challenged to find new ways to enjoy life and the ones we love. Of course, we all have those moments where we focus on what is not to be or on what we’re losing, but the real strength will come in finding creative ways to connect. The technology we have is already making that possible, and our mental health will depend greatly on our ability to continue adapting. What is your vision of optimal mental health during this pandemic, and how does it differ from good mental health at other times? This is a great question. My vision of optimal mental health would be finding balance, and developing ways to cope that incorporate reflection, gratitude, and fo- cusing our energies on the present. When working with clients, we often discuss the importance of living in the present, rather than ruminating on the past or anticipat- ing the future. But the truth is, some days are just tough. I have had to accept this, and on those days I hold tight to the things that bring me great joy, like my family and friends. Let’s face it, this is a difficult time, but finding things that provide comfort in those moments is crucial in maintaining optimal mental health.