HJBR Sep/Oct 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  SEP / OCT 2020 17 What is your mental health advice to school-age children and parents this fall? I am themomof two school-age children, and the advice I give them is to explore new things, and to enjoy the simplicity of this time. We are normally racing around, and in all that chaos, we lose the connections we have with one another. During the past five months, we have laughed and relaxed together more than ever. We’ve also shared our fears honestly with one another. I en- courage children and parents to take the time to talk about feelings throughout this evolving situation. As parents, sometimes we feel like we have to protect our children from all the hurts in the world, while knowing that this is impossible. Our job during this time is not to hide our fears from our children, but to acknowledge them, and model healthy coping skills. In some cases, we may need to seek additional support to provide us with skills for living a more balanced life. I had a conversation with a family member recently, and we recognized that while our worries and situations were different, this time was challenging for all of us. Finding that support from one another is critical to maintaining optimal mental health. What advice would you give front-line healthcare professionals who are dealing directly with COVID-19 patients? My advice to healthcare workers is to closely monitor their mental health, and to recognize that vulnerability, sadness, and fear are normal emotions during this time. It is important to monitor for symptoms that are outside of a normal response, such as appetite fluctuations, new sleep distur- bances, depressed mood, decreased energy levels, inability to complete simple tasks, and severe concentration difficulties. There are so many resources available to support them through this process, and to assist with processing feelings of loss, depression, anxiety, and grief. As caregivers, it is often difficult to be cared for, and I would urge healthcare workers to reach out and recog- nize that seeking services to address mental health concerns is a sign of strength and not weakness. Considering concerns about the con- tagion level of SARS-CoV-2, how can healthcare workers manage the fear of spreading the virus asymptomatically to members of their household? Leaving behind fear is probably not completely realistic, but finding ways to stay connected to our internal strength and peace while navigating feelings of fear is important. One way we can also support one another is by being transparent, shar- ing our struggles, and offering a safe place to be heard and to reflect. If you see a co- worker struggling, reach out and offer sup- port and your genuine concern. What is the best way to deal with people who are focusing on the constant barrage of bad news in the media? Boundaries. It is okay to kindly remove yourself from a conversation, or to be open with them about both your discomfort, and your desire to remain connected to them. You can say something like, “I feel over- whelmed, and while I want to support you in this time, I am limiting my conversations on these topics because I have not found it beneficial to me right now.” As an experienced mental health professional, what is your personal source of peace that quiets your mind during difficult times? I have a playlist filled with songs whose messages help me find balance. A few of my favorites are “The Breakup Song” by Fran- cesca Battistelli, “You Say” by Lauren Daigle, and “Fear is a Liar” by Zach Williams. I have found these songs quiet my mind and create a sense of peace and hopefulness. I take time each day on the way home to listen to these songs and think of all the things I am thank- ful for, and release the feelings and things that do not contribute to creating the bal- ance and the peace that I need right now. n